Lost Childhood

Authors: Ayush Jain, Kaushik Nandan, Tarun Kumar (IIT Patna) 
Survey Link: Survey on Child Labour

Survey Results: Results

‘Recently, I was roaming on the streets of Amritsar when a little Sardar came to me and asked for money. I said, “Why are you asking for money? You have a Gurudwara here with free food at the Langar! Go, eat there. Don’t you study?” The Sardar stared at me for some time, his face showing a mixed expression of confusion and disappointment, and then he left to follow another guy with an expensive looking outfit. This made me think that in spite of all the “seva” the Sikhs do here what made this boy to beg at this young age?’ – Ayush.

“Few airplanes fly over Firozabad.”- Lost Spring by Anees Jung (NCERT – Flamingo). This excerpt is about a boy who wants to be a motor mechanic but is forced to work in a bangle factory. His family is very poor and cannot afford his education. His father offers him the only thing he can, the art of making bangles. When asked if he wants to become a pilot, he remains silent.

A study was done on Child Labour in Indian Beedi Industry by Dr. Yogesh Dube, Member NCPCR. He summarised that most of the child labour in India is involved in Beedi Industry (Fig. 1). He mentioned the major causes for child labour were: work being labour intensive, vulnerability of children, ignorance of parents, poverty, bonded labour and child pledging, educational deprivation, etc.

Fig 1 Child labour in various industries in India

We interviewed some child labourers near our campus. There are children who work in hotels and small shops present nearby. We asked a few questions to them enquiring their daily routine, salaries, the financial conditions at their home, the kind of treatment they receive there, the conditions of work etc. The interviews were done over the past few weeks. The conversations we had with the child labourers provided us a quite evident reason for their conditions – poverty. If they don't work, their families simply won't be able to make both ends meet. Their parents don't earn enough to suffice for all the family members. We might think their parents don't have a choice. Moreover the parents’ illiteracy in most of the cases worsens the situation.

As we ponder over psychology and child labour, we realise that psychological effects of it can be at times more detrimental than even its harsh physical effects. Child labour thwarts a child's cognitive development and education. Also this results in a negative feedback loop. These young children who work, rather than learn, will continue working rest of their lives without an opportunity to increase their standing in life. Without the ability to find better paying jobs, due to a lack of education, the workers’ children will also be forced early into the workplace to help support their family, ensuring that the lack of education will haunt future generations.

As obvious as it may sound, we would seldom see a well to do family send their children to work outside. So empowering the poor families is the most important part of tackling the problem. The government might try to pay for the poor children’s education. Also educating parents would be helpful. Similarly spending money on children’s health will help to the cause. Health is an important factor because due to high child mortality rate,some families might would try to have more children so that atleast some remain alive and serve them during their old age. Also as always laws need to be more strict. Easier said than done, these will go a long way in eradicating child labour.

Our study could have been better had we also surveyed child labourers outside the city. Also it would have benefitted us more had we also talked to their parents. 

Fig 2 Status of child labour in India (2001-2011)