ऐ छोटू चाय ला !!!!

We usually heard this header of this article almost everyday without giving a little bit of thought.Even I became so habituated by this word that I use it indiscriminately without considering the age of the opponent [just as Bengali guys say "DADA" to everyone they meet....sometime even to kids]...Look friends,this is an endemic problems of our country to see "THESE NUMEROUS CHOTUS" here and there at every tea stall or Dhabas.The constitution of India though has provisions to ban these Chotus from working.Even the august parliament of India passed a legislation to ban the child labour in any form be it Dhabas,hotel,motel or domestics recently. But efforts are in vain.We should imagine the plight of these Chotus before ordering the tea.How many Chotus just like one at "ANIL CHAI WALA"..are serving throughout our country...it gives me pain [ONE ARTICLE ALREADY WRITTEN ON IT...PLEASE REFER THAT ONE TOO...].Few years back I met with one child who was mentally distorted.When I asked about him,he told his story.I shudder...he was treated like an obnoxious animal by an elegant lady [software pair in Delhi]...some time even he was chained and locked inside the house like a Dog.It should be treated strictly.All the law enforcement agencies must work to eradicate this menace from the society.For this to happen Civil society must come forward to help the enforcement agencies.Then only these plethora of "CHOTUS" can be saved.

A COMMENT FROM A READER ON ISSUE OF CHILD LABOUR

I really appreciate the effort which you made to at least visit these sites and get the first hand information. Other wise these are more or less drawing room discussion where we make verbal efforts, sympathize with these poor lots, criticize the government and scorn the Bureaucrats. It’s good to know that child labor has diminished in the area but at the cost of what?I would like to add something to your observations which might not be as valuable but at least give me an opportunity to express my views.What ever we are witnessing in terms of appalling conditions of these poor deprived souls in the cause of another disease which is plaguing the states of UP Bihar MP .....and the list goes on ,is the lack of economic development of these states. I guess majority of parents of these children would not like to see their sons and daughters toiling under the hardship of horrendous working conditions. Their hearts must be pining to see the innocence and childhood of their little ones withered by the harsh realities of poverty. No doubt we frequently hear the stories of many children are freed from the captivity of their employers and sent back to their home. But this is just one half of the story. We do not know what happens next. Do we really care to know why they have been pushed into this ugly system of child labor? Only by freeing them from their captivity and punishing their unscrupulous employer have we done our duty. Sometimes I do feel that by victimizing the employer are we not blocking their (poor children and their family) means of sustenance. Had we created enough opportunities for the poor to feed their families then would such situation have risen .Have we really freed them from burden of child labor or unknowingly we have expedited their degradation by creating opportunities for them to become criminals? Have we created a catch 22 situation where we won’t let you work so to earn your bread “Please Beg, Steal, Rob or Kill”. If given an opportunity and means these peasants would also like to get their child educated. But first thing first they have to have something in their belly to make them think.As we know democracy is of the people for the people and by the people .We very well emphasize on the significance on words” of the people and for the people but conveniently forget that it is “BY” the people. As we know the future of human being lies in his own hand (obviously GOD help those who help themselves).Our future lies on our index finger .We make the Politicians they make the policies and then they twist the laws them we complain and the circle keeps on repeating it self. Instead of complaining and whining why not uproot the cause of all ills. We seldom get what we deserve but we get what we want. People in power are corrupt because we support corruption. We want to make our life easy because it requires character to so say a big no what is benefiting us but is immoral. We know power flows from top but is supported from the bottom. And it is the will of the people in power which can change things. And this requires the will of the common man to have such people in power. It’s a simple transitive relation. A=B, B=C then A=C.We want proper clean governance = People in power should be clean and of progressive mind setPeople we elect are Corrupt = We get a corrupt and aimless governanceHenceWe want proper clean governance = We get a corrupt and aimless governance (This is what happens)To elaborate if we take the example of UP its really sad to see the amount of money spent on decoration of parks and statues which do not generate a single penny but perennially consume resources for their maintenance. Any economic initiative is devoured by the monster of dirty Politics (e.g. Reliance retail).The result is people flock to Mumbai in search of job and get thrashed by another breed of Franken steins. So these poor end up loosing their jobs, lives and self respect.I know a common man cannot change this over night but at least we can make our effort to choose right kind of people who represent us and influence the future of coming generations. We as a common people can at least make our effort to choose the kind people with some integrity and vision and who are at least a bit above their self interest.But problem doesn’t end here the next complain is where to find such people especially in an environment where Politics is the first and best refuge of a scoundrel.So my dear friend it has to be one amongst us. We don’t want to compromise our careers and fat salaries, we do not want take extra pain to mend the system, we want somebody to do it for us. When we go to elect people do we sincerely analyze their credentials or we support him just because his sir name is singh, yadav , khan ....... Do we really think objectively or do we help others to think objectively.So what I conclude what we are addressing is a symptom or outcome which has its cause lying somewhere else. And the cause is WE. Before fighting them fight with yourself. And stop sympathizing with poor and start blaming your self. Unless we start holding our self accountable I promise nothing will change.Thank you for your time and patience.

CLARIFICATION TO MY NOTE ON "MY VISIT TO FIROZABAD"

Interestingly I found one critic on my findings about the situation of child labour in Firozabad.First of all I heartly welcome my critic and wish some more criticism on my other notes.
As for the clarification on this note,I want to say that I was quite aware about the problem of child labour in Firozabad.This was the reason I went personally and saw few sites.I visited numerous factories ,few of them are largest in Firozabad.I found a big board declaring that "NO CHILD LABOUR IS PRACTISED HERE" at every factory'gate.I went inside and found only two child labours according to Indian definition of Child labour in those premises.I would like to clarify that I have not visited those places where only family members or their acquaintence are working.There can't be anydoubt on my findings.But still I agree with the fact that Child labour has not been abolished completely from Firozabad.Yes there is a lot to be done to remove it completely.But this is true that the situation has improved drastically in recent times.Any one can go and visit Firozabad any time and find out the truth that I have written.
This is true that government's delivery mechanism has failed substantially but there are also some concrete measures have also being taken to root out this menace from Firozabd.We should recognise this fact too.
Still,if some body has anydoubt I will welcome his/her criticism and will provide further clarification on this issue.
Whatever the condition may be of child labour but who ever is working right now there,there condition is not at all good.They are working in a pathetic conditions,high temperature barefoot,no safety measures,no insurence,no labour union,etc.Government must look these issues and take some effective measures to improve the situation.

MY VISIT TO FIROZABAD

Last month I went to my home District Firozabad.Though it is famous for its glass works but it was disfamous for child labour too.I went in the disguised form and took first hand information in those glass works.
After entering in to the premises I met with horrifying scenes of ancient world where a large numbers of slaves used to work barefoot in the factories.It has forced me to remember numerous hollywood movies depicting that types of scenes.
But i saw around the premises and searched with eagle's eye but very rarely i have found child working in those terrible conditions.When I enquire about it, management told it is due to strict actions by district administraion.This was pleasant to me.
But,no matter children are not working but still people are working who are having their families and kids.All effort should be taken to ensure the safety of these persons.

COMMENT:

Stubbron said...
U know its eazy to comment & more eazy to critize.whenever u critize about anything, in future try to do a real research and then come to any consenses. we all know child labor still practizing in firozabad but why???? Did anyone just think about it once. NO... i will tell you WHY??? This is because of the fact that still the 70% pf the populaton is still living in rular. they are living in a place where whole life goes out in order to earn basics & living. did anyone just think once why a child of 10 years old going to work in a place where the tempreature is more than 1400degree centigrate. No. Lack of education, no attention of goverment, no remedies, no action plans, no improvements in workforce, no high tech tools, no high rated equipments, people are living within that vicious cricle which start and end as the ring of a bangle with the same pain.The comment ends with do something which makes people aware about the rest of the world. what is happeing in & around te world? this is only can happen with the help of education & only education.