Group Discussion Contest Novemebr 14 to November 21

Deapak wrote:[quote]
there are enough employment schemes too.......providing proper employment to the parents does not guarantee the eradication of this menace.we should aim at giving the parents proper education.no educated parent will ever send his/her child to do forced labour. hence the problem prevailing in the country is the lack of education among parents.

making the uneducated parents realize the folly of sending their child to forced labour will go a long way in solving this problem.i would like to quote here that the state with highest literacy in India- kerala, has the least number of cases in child labour.those reported have been children from other states of India where literacy has been a joke.

more and more NGOs should take up the job of making the parents understand this problem.education can change the world...has changed the world ......and will change the world..... [/quote]

I agree to some extent, the same applies to literacy campaigns too, there are enough schemes and laws etc. etc. but there is no enforcement, as is the case with employment schemes. Also, if you think about it, its a vicious circle - no money no education, hence no education no money! And if at all the parents need to be persuaded to realize the importance of sending their children to school, they should be in such a condition that they do not have to worry about how and where they are going to get their next meal. There are many jobs and trades that do not demand literal education but training in a particular trade and skill such as carpentry, masonary etc. that can be provided to people below poverty line so that they have assurance of income that guarantees at least two square meals a day so that they afford the luxury of government-sponsored free education to their children.

[quote]sasikanth wrote:
Gulshan ji it is not possible.It can be possible only when the children parents must change first.

They must think about the childrens future.Then there wont be any child labour.

Our government must have strict rules against childlabour.
1.It must be cruel of Having penalty in lakhs.
2.It must no cease.If it is done they will open another shop in another place.Then same problem repeat.
3.The media must take an active part on it.
4.People must cooperate to government and Media.It will make easy to eradicate child labour.


Mass awareness campaign will change the mindset of parents as well as user of services of establishments where children are employed. The mass campaign is necessary to bring an awareness among all. This will also compel the Labor department to be more vigilant in enforcing law on employing children in factories, shops and establishments. [/quote]

Mass awareness campaign is what is needed but along with that willingness of people to change their mindsets, and it is people like us who are the major portion of market today. for eg. we all know and are aware that the major portion of fireworks industry in Sivakashi employs young children to work in their factories, but have we stopped buying and burning enormous numbers of firecrackers??? NO! In fact, the use of crackers has increased to much much more extent, loud crackers are burst to mark every celebration, be it the birth day of someone in the family, be it diwali or anything else. If we stopped buying them, there would be definitely some kind of change that would compel these factory owners to stop employing minor children.

There is beyond an iota of doubt that children are the backbone of a nation. In fact, they are the future of any nation and therefore much attention should be given to children in order to reap huge benefits in future. But bone chilling fact is that they are not given much importance and goes through hardships in the form of child labor at such a tender age as childhood. It is very sad to note that a proportion of children is having fun and excitement in their life while the other portion is burdened with hard labor, physical torture, extortion etc.

Apart from the points which I have mentioned in my first post regarding elimination of child labor I would now move a step further to sight some more key points to eradicate the same....

** Organized Activity against child labor-- Organized activities against child labor should be held by the organizations like Labor Parties, NGO's etc from time to time to make the offenders recognize that people of the world are conscious about the child labor issues and its high time they should give up this habit or else they might have to be ready to meet the outcomes. For example, the ILO is doing it once a year and other organizations should come at forefront to join the same.

** Pressure from Human Rights Groups-- Human Right Groups should come into action and give this issue much priority and importance than any other issues. Yes, they are the right person to raise this issue at the forefront so that it comes under the strict vigilance of others.

** Factory owners should follow child labor laws-- Factory owners should follow proper child labor laws and should not employ children to get their works done or to extort them. Before employing anyone they should maintain and follow proper rules and procedures and do not indulge in the violation of the same.

** Consumer education and Awareness-- This is one of the most vital weapon to get control over the menace. Much of the things are going on because it is not disclosed to the masses and things are under the carpet. I think media, internet and advertisement would definitely help to aware the people and the problem could well be brought under control.

** Birth rate control-- Overpopulation is also adding to the problem in one way or the other. Often larger families with five or six children are the victims of child labor. Through proper family planning such problem could be control and even parents would be able to give proper education to them...!

It seems to be a very easy topic but after reading so many responses, it actually seems to be more than what is seen.
Many of us see that valid steps have to be taken by the government like correctly mentioned in the arenas of education, self awareness and employment.

Although many steps have been taken, I believe its nearly impossible for this evil to be eradicated because of lack of the will to change.

There is truth in the fact that poverty plays a major role in child labor,but the fact that there is a class of people fanning the evil fire because of greed and adamance.

Ask any child who is working,he'll tell you he needs to support sibling and parents.In most cases the elders would demand money for their own expenditures.

Children would not want to go to school on their own, they have to be motivated.Parents of these children donot want to send them to school for the fact they want to earn through them and in my experience I feel they are very well aware of the government benefits that are available for their children.

I don't think they are unaware of the job opportunities either,unfortunately they donot want to go and earn and use their children instead.

I'm not disagreeing with anything said until now, but I feel that society needs a mind shift in enormously in order to eradicate Child labour.

All these things are there in papers.But when it comes to reality we do not follow.If one realise that child labour is an offence he should keep away children from all sorts of works under him or associated to him.If some people think so we can make a movement.

Abid when we are talking about this type of activities all want to fight against these but when come to reality all will forget about this.

Abid when we are talking about this type of activities all want to fight against these but when come to reality all will forget about this.

Sasikanth,
Talking is very easy.To show it in our deed is very difficult.

You are right abid change must come in the society then only every thing is possible.

It seems to be a very easy topic but after reading so many responses, it actually seems to be more than what is seen.
Many of us see that valid steps have to be taken by the government like correctly mentioned in the arenas of education, self awareness and employment.

Although many steps have been taken, I believe its nearly impossible for this evil to be eradicated because of lack of the will to change.

There is truth in the fact that poverty plays a major role in child labor,but the fact that there is a class of people fanning the evil fire because of greed and adamance.

Ask any child who is working,he'll tell you he needs to support sibling and parents.In most cases the elders would demand money for their own expenditures.

Children would not want to go to school on their own, they have to be motivated.Parents of these children donot want to send them to school for the fact they want to earn through them and in my experience I feel they are very well aware of the government benefits that are available for their children.

I don't think they are unaware of the job opportunities either,unfortunately they donot want to go and earn and use their children instead.

I'm not disagreeing with anything said until now, but I feel that society needs a mind shift in enormously in order to eradicate Child labour.

I agree that a change of mind is necessary. This can be done by building a very strong campaign against child employment. It is obvious that poor parents are lured by immediate income of child. They need to appreciate that a few years of education will enable their child to earn more and get a good status in society. This is also possible by a powerful campaign only. It is also true that children are to be motivated. some degree of compulsion is also necessary. There should be penalties and disincentives for motivating children to work. Political and social organizations can play a good role in this. The municipal counselors, MLA, MPs should ensure compliance of law against child labor in their constituencies.

First we have to think why they are looking for jobs?
They need money, so we have to fulfill their basic financial needs like money for food, cloths and other simple things. Once they fulfill all the basic needs they automatically go to school and the children never think to get into job.

Yes, whatever vimala said is true.

We need to think about their need which is making them to work.Even parents also send their children to work as their salaries which they again are not sufficient for their family. So for such families Government should give a good job opportunity where they get better amount and their basic needs get fulfilled and Government should take care of the education of the children.
Now a days children are even becoming criminals child labor etc due the insufficient fullfilment of their basics needs. So keeping all these in view, beside of government if any of the citizen want to abolish child labor, that person first should find where the child labor is going on. then that person should talk to that child, that why that child working over there. what is the childs family condition. what that childs father do, mother do, how much they earn money. How many members are there. will they are meeting their basics needs or not. Is that child has interest in studying. If that child is interested then we should explain that we will provide a better job to their parents to full fill their basic needs and we will make that child get educated in a good school. so that that child can make a better future of our country.

this is my plan to abolish child labor. I am going to implement after few years

A lot has been discussed in the present group discussion about the do's and dont's when it comes about dealing with such a delicate issue as eradication of child labor. One thing I would personally like to add is that child labor should not be mixed up with those young ones who try to stand and shine in their lives. I mean some youngsters do take the initiative to start work from an early stage of life and later on they grow up into a successful person. There are numerous examples of such personalities we find today all around us. They in fact not only do good to themselves but in turn to our society and our country needs them.

Apart from this, when we discuss about these unfortunate children who are somehow forced to work either from their parents, elders or against their will we do come across a lot of remedies but unfortunately those are only limited to pen and papers as very aptly pointed out by Abid, Sasikanth and some other expert members of the site. Here, I am going to sight a few more common remedies regarding eradication of child labor which I think would help to solve the problem provided it is followed properly.

## Move out and fight for the cause – It's high time for us to move out from our comfort zones and fight for the same. HOW? Do it alone and if you don't get much support for your cause then seek the local people, friends and write out a written petition and hand over the same to the concerned local bodies.

## Each one preach one – Child laborers or their families face innumerable hardships and difficulties because of their ignorance. If we take out some time to talk, speak and listen to them then surely it will boost their thinking and self confidence. It will help them to lead a better life and who knows one fine day even they might be emotionally strong to fight for their own rights.

## Go with the stats – According to the World bank Surveys, incidences of child labor decreased from twenty-five percent to ten percent between 1960 to 2010. Here is something positive for us and if we remain determined to eradicate the problem there is sure chance of getting success with it.

Finally, I would like to add that instead of expecting the government to do things for us, we can take the initiative and do it ourselves. I know it will take some time for such steps to yield result but once they are successful more than half of the battle is own.

[quote]A lot has been discussed in the present group discussion about the do's and dont's when it comes about dealing with such a delicate issue as eradication of child labor. One thing I would personally like to add is that child labor should not be mixed up with those young ones who try to stand and shine in their lives. I mean some youngsters do take the initiative to start work from an early stage of life and later on they grow up into a successful person. There are numerous examples of such personalities we find today all around us. They in fact not only do good to themselves but in turn to our society and our country needs them.

Apart from this, when we discuss about these unfortunate children who are somehow forced to work either from their parents, elders or against their will we do come across a lot of remedies but unfortunately those are only limited to pen and papers as very aptly pointed out by Abid, Sasikanth and some other expert members of the site. Here, I am going to sight a few more common remedies regarding eradication of child labor which I think would help to solve the problem provided it is followed properly.

## Move out and fight for the cause – It's high time for us to move out from our comfort zones and fight for the same. HOW? Do it alone and if you don't get much support for your cause then seek the local people, friends and write out a written petition and hand over the same to the concerned local bodies.

## Each one preach one – Child laborers or their families face innumerable hardships and difficulties because of their ignorance. If we take out some time to talk, speak and listen to them then surely it will boost their thinking and self confidence. It will help them to lead a better life and who knows one fine day even they might be emotionally strong to fight for their own rights.

## Go with the stats – According to the World bank Surveys, incidences of child labor decreased from twenty-five percent to ten percent between 1960 to 2010. Here is something positive for us and if we remain determined to eradicate the problem there is sure chance of getting success with it.

Finally, I would like to add that instead of expecting the government to do things for us, we can take the initiative and do it ourselves. I know it will take some time for such steps to yield result but once they are successful more than half of the battle is own. [/quote]

I really like the preciseness of your thoughts and the logic you have put into your reply!! Very well done, I agree with all your points.

The fact is, it all boils down to the attitude and willingness of an individual to take responsibility upon himself or herself to contribute to the society at large. I think the reason why 100% literacy has been achieved in Kerala is this, people have seriously made it a mission to see that each one is taught well. In other states, it failed miserably because of lack of individual effort and the attitude that says, its not my job. Also the reason why there is an "India Shining" for a handful few and "Garib Bharat" for the vast majority.

It is people like us who go to Shirdi to pay homage and bribes in money and gold to Sai Baba and buy Sai Baba's photos and small statues from the many small children who sell these things on the streets. Ironical indeed!

One thing I would personally like to add is that child labor should not be mixed up with those young ones who try to stand and shine in their lives. I mean some youngsters do take the initiative to start work from an early stage of life and later on they grow up into a successful person. There are numerous examples of such personalities we find today all around us. They in fact not only do good to themselves but in turn to our society and our country needs them


This statement is particularly true and yet the line that distinguishes between the child standing up for himself and the child laborer is a very fine one. What can be distinguishable in such cases is whether the child is able to make use of the money he earns goes into fulfilling his physical, emotional and developmental needs or for something else such as whetting the appetite of his father's drinking needs.

According to me there can be no single answer towards eradicating the child labour completely, there has to renewed and complete efforts to do the same. Until that happens, let us look into our own homes and see to it that while the underage girls do cleaning and washing for you, you teach her to write and read too so that she can do something better in her life.

[quote]A lot has been discussed in the present group discussion about the do's and dont's when it comes about dealing with such a delicate issue as eradication of child labor. One thing I would personally like to add is that child labor should not be mixed up with those young ones who try to stand and shine in their lives. I mean some youngsters do take the initiative to start work from an early stage of life and later on they grow up into a successful person. There are numerous examples of such personalities we find today all around us. They in fact not only do good to themselves but in turn to our society and our country needs them.

Apart from this, when we discuss about these unfortunate children who are somehow forced to work either from their parents, elders or against their will we do come across a lot of remedies but unfortunately those are only limited to pen and papers as very aptly pointed out by Abid, Sasikanth and some other expert members of the site. Here, I am going to sight a few more common remedies regarding eradication of child labor which I think would help to solve the problem provided it is followed properly.

## Move out and fight for the cause – It's high time for us to move out from our comfort zones and fight for the same. HOW? Do it alone and if you don't get much support for your cause then seek the local people, friends and write out a written petition and hand over the same to the concerned local bodies.

## Each one preach one – Child laborers or their families face innumerable hardships and difficulties because of their ignorance. If we take out some time to talk, speak and listen to them then surely it will boost their thinking and self confidence. It will help them to lead a better life and who knows one fine day even they might be emotionally strong to fight for their own rights.

## Go with the stats – According to the World bank Surveys, incidences of child labor decreased from twenty-five percent to ten percent between 1960 to 2010. Here is something positive for us and if we remain determined to eradicate the problem there is sure chance of getting success with it.

Finally, I would like to add that instead of expecting the government to do things for us, we can take the initiative and do it ourselves. I know it will take some time for such steps to yield result but once they are successful more than half of the battle is own.

I really like the preciseness of your thoughts and the logic you have put into your reply!! Very well done, I agree with all your points.

The fact is, it all boils down to the attitude and willingness of an individual to take responsibility upon himself or herself to contribute to the society at large. I think the reason why 100% literacy has been achieved in Kerala is this, people have seriously made it a mission to see that each one is taught well. In other states, it failed miserably because of lack of individual effort and the attitude that says, its not my job. Also the reason why there is an "India Shining" for a handful few and "Garib Bharat" for the vast majority.

It is people like us who go to Shirdi to pay homage and bribes in money and gold to Sai Baba and buy Sai Baba's photos and small statues from the many small children who sell these things on the streets. Ironical indeed!

One thing I would personally like to add is that child labor should not be mixed up with those young ones who try to stand and shine in their lives. I mean some youngsters do take the initiative to start work from an early stage of life and later on they grow up into a successful person. There are numerous examples of such personalities we find today all around us. They in fact not only do good to themselves but in turn to our society and our country needs them


This statement is particularly true and yet the line that distinguishes between the child standing up for himself and the child laborer is a very fine one. What can be distinguishable in such cases is whether the child is able to make use of the money he earns goes into fulfilling his physical, emotional and developmental needs or for something else such as whetting the appetite of his father's drinking needs.

According to me there can be no single answer towards eradicating the child labour completely, there has to renewed and complete efforts to do the same. Until that happens, let us look into our own homes and see to it that while the underage girls do cleaning and washing for you, you teach her to write and read too so that she can do something better in her life.[/quote]

I appreciate the distinction between child labor as such and honest efforts by a child to shine. There are many things that only children can do. Only child artists can play child role in TV shows and films. Also child labor needs be differentiated from apprenticeship and training. There are already rules in Industrial law about apprenticeship. What is important is the a child should not be required to work by neglecting studies or his career. A child's work in TV, movies and as a trainee must be regulated. In short, there should be no exploitation of children and they should not be made to lose their childhood.

[quote]
I appreciate the distinction between child labor as such and honest efforts by a child to shine. There are many things that only children can do. Only child artists can play child role in TV shows and films. Also child labor needs be differentiated from apprenticeship and training. There are already rules in Industrial law about apprenticeship. What is important is the a child should not be required to work by neglecting studies or his career. A child's work in TV, movies and as a trainee must be regulated. In short, there should be no exploitation of children and they should not be made to lose their childhood. [/quote]

That is exactly my point when I wrote about the underage housemaids working in thousands of Indian homes. Also, the point you made about child actors is noteworthy, but the fact still remains that there are many such children whose parents discourage, at times pressurize them to neglect studies in order to whet their ambition to make their child famous and rich. :(

But with respect to child artists, I would like to quote an example of a boy named Sharad Goyekar. He featured in an award winning Marathi film Tingya a couple years back, it was based on a very poor farmer's family who has to sell off their only bullock for money. This boy belonged to the same type of family, the very role he played. The directors and producers of the film then brought him to Pune, got him enrolled in a good school and he is now getting the best education and care that would have otherwise skipped him. Something we can all take a lesson from and contribute in any way that we are able to.

Just as drop by drop makes up an ocean, small contributions make a big picture as a whole!

Also I wish to add a point regarding this.Some street plays are well conveyed or touches the minds of public people only when they are performed by children of a definite age group.In such cases we will have to use them.It will not come under child labour.

Friends,
Only one day remaining to conclude this discussion.Hurry up.

[quote]Also I wish to add a point regarding this.Some street plays are well conveyed or touches the minds of public people only when they are performed by children of a definite age group.In such cases we will have to use them.It will not come under child labour.[/quote]

Good example Abid! Which is why I have said that there is a very fine line between the need of a child to be in a role or responsibility and child labour. If at all a child has to work for some reason or other, proper care has to be taken by the authorities to see that it is done so within legal limits and the child's basic needs are all fulfilled well.

[quote]Also I wish to add a point regarding this.Some street plays are well conveyed or touches the minds of public people only when they are performed by children of a definite age group.In such cases we will have to use them.It will not come under child labour.

Good example Abid! Which is why I have said that there is a very fine line between the need of a child to be in a role or responsibility and child labour. If at all a child has to work for some reason or other, proper care has to be taken by the authorities to see that it is done so within legal limits and the child's basic needs are all fulfilled well.[/quote]

There are rules in factory law for children's employment. A person between fifteen to eighteen is a young person and can be appointed as apprentice. These need to be adhered to.

The guidelines should ensure that (1) There is general ban on child employment (2) The child may be employed only for training and not for work as such (3) Certain jobs can be done by children only. These may be performed by children subject to safeguards. (4) A child's education should not be disturbed.

The exploitation of children by employing them cannot be eradicated without strong public campaign. Such campaign will motivate people not to visit shops/ establishment employing children.

I agree with the points mentioned to ensure a secure labour laws for childern.
Unfortunately like any other law, to keep the future generation safe is not been taken seriously by our county.
It seems that alot of potential is lost in the generation to the come because of the slow attitude our government takes.

Apart from this I'd like to state that a public campaign is not enough but radical steps should be taken for the people who are found guilty of encouraging child labor.

As discussed in previous discussions, unless there are strict measures taken, people don't have a will to change.