Everywhere I go, I like to observe how children behave. A happy child is so hard to find these days because their world has fast become an imitation of the adult world. Today's kids are dressed up in the most expensive branded clothes, playing on tech savvy gadgets and even wearing make up to school.
Children's Rights: Who is a Happy Child?
Several decades ago, one would have defined a happy child as one who has a happy and secure childhood. Today, that definition would draw glares from cynics.
But there is one law that I strongly believe that every Indian can implement and make it happen no matter what the circumstances are.
Children's Rights: Ten Steps to get Cracking for their well-being and happiness
1. You can put your foot down and say a strong "NO" to child labor. Walk out of shops where children are made to work. Do not employ children to look after your own children. You are behaving no differently from an employer of child labor then.
2. If there is a child who is being put to work, try and make contact with the parents and persuade them to send the child to a school.
3. You could help raise funds if you team up with like minded friends and all of you can pool in for the child's school expenses without burning your savings.
4. Go through the websites of the Women and Child Development ministries both Central and State. Jot down some of the key points so that you are aware of children's rights especially those that are beneficial for under privileged children.
5. Don't expect journalists and politicians to whip up solutions for problems that you can also pitch in to tackle. Research a little on the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, the Mid day Meals scheme, the Charters on the Rights of the Child and so on. These provide valuable information on many facets that can help improve the lives of underprivileged children.
6. Check out the Web to find out more about Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Welfare Committees and the Legal Services Authorities Act.
7. You could get in touch with NGOs or associations that are keen to work and help improve the livles of underprivileged children.
8. Alternatively, once you are aware of the laws, you can step up efforts to bring together a community of likeminded well-to-do aprents who want to volunteer for such initiatives. You could volunteer to teach children who have difficulties in reading, writing and speaking.
9. You can also contact children's rights activists and organizations if you want to be more involved with helping underprivileged children.
10. Most importantly, look around your neighborhood and see what you want to improve there before you head out to far places. There may be an orphanage nearby that needs good clothes for their children and you could probably get cracking on organizing it. You could even sponsor medical check ups for the children who need medical attention. Whatever you do, decide to do it with an open, happy mind.
9. You can also contact children's rights activists and organizations if you want to be more involved with helping underprivileged children.
10. Most importantly, look around your neighborhood and see what you want to improve there before you head out to far places. There may be an orphanage nearby that needs good clothes for their children and you could probably get cracking on organizing it. You could even sponsor medical check ups for the children who need medical attention. Whatever you do, decide to do it with an open, happy mind.
Children's rights are many, so are laws. But all of it bears fruit only if every one of us can pitch in and do something valuable for those children who are made to work. There is no better way to contribute to the well being and happiness of all children of this nation.
Last but not the least, buy a copy of Oliver Twist and read it. You will get an idea of what I am talking about. It's your duty and mine to make India 'a shining place' for all children.
Do you feel strongly about a specific issue that would incite you to come forward and form a community for it? That'd be interesting to know about. Do share your thoughts pls.
Do you feel strongly about a specific issue that would incite you to come forward and form a community for it? That'd be interesting to know about. Do share your thoughts pls.
2 comments:
Very well written. Thanks. Child labor is a no no. We do not go to a few Indian restaurants here where the owners put thier children to work (even after 8 pm).
As you said change cannot be brought about by government or newspapers. Us individuals should work towards it.
@SG, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am glad we are on the same lines on issues like this.
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