Child labour and the policy makers

26 April 2008

Sir,

Children are said to be the reflection of god but does it apply to one’s children only or also to children throughout the world? On this question, every decision maker will try to colour themselves and hide under the colourful of words of care and concern, without meaning it from their heart.

Today’s children are the future and it matters a lot in which environment they are brought up. There are so many children who are deprived of their necessities like food, clothing and shelter, forget about schools.

Their right to dream of greater things are snatched from them because they have been borne in a society where no one cares for another, except for them-selves.

Dr. RInchen Chophel of NCWC is an ardent supporter of women and children, hence he opposed the idea of women being addressed as housewife. He reasoned out, saying women should be called home-makers instead.

The point he argued for was good, but not worth applauding, because what is there in a name as long as women are okay with it and they do the same work ultimately. It would have been better if he had fought for children who do odd jobs from dawn till dusk in an attempt to keep themselves alive.

There are many who break stones along the roadside or work as handy-boys for truck drivers and all.

I am talking about child labour, as per certain Acts, it is illegal to make children work. But children belonging to poor back grounds and children having no option but to work are aplenty. What about the children who are brought from the remote areas, as baby sitters or helpers and and forced to work for their survival?

For the policy makers it is easy to make decisions because the ideas they come up with is straight from the shitting pot. The decision they come up with are not properly researched, most of them are like “Eureka,” but we must not forget we are not Archimedes.