Project: Child Labour in India – "Lost Spring"
1. Index
1.1 Index
1.2 Acknowledgement
1.3 Certificate of Completion
1.4 Objective
1.5 Child Labour with Reference to Lost Spring (Summary)
1.6 Lives of Children Like Saheb and Mukesh
1.7 Description of Seemapuri (with pictures)
1.8 Hazards of the Bangle Making Industry
1.9 Initiatives Against Child Labour by Indian Government and Various NGOs
1.10 SOS Children's Village in India
1.11 The Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act, 1986
1.12 Ways to Eliminate Child Labour
1.13 Bibliography
2. Acknowledgement
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my teacher [Teacher's Name] for guiding me throughout this project. I also appreciate the support from my family and friends. This project wouldn't have been possible without the resources from various books, articles, and online sources, particularly Lost Spring by Anees Jung, which served as the foundation of this research.
3. Certificate of Completion
This is to certify that the project titled “Child Labour in India – Lost Spring” has been completed by [Your Name], a student of [Your School Name], as part of [subject name/project work]. The project has been successfully completed on [date of completion].
4. Objective
The main objective of this project is to highlight the issue of child labour in India, specifically through the lens of “Lost Spring” by Anees Jung. This project aims to:
Raise awareness about the harsh realities faced by children forced into child labour.
Provide insights into the socio-economic factors that contribute to child labour.
Explore the lives of children like Saheb and Mukesh, who endure such hardships.
Discuss government and NGO initiatives to combat child labour and suggest ways to eliminate it.
5. Child Labour with Reference to Lost Spring (Summary)
Lost Spring is an excerpt from the book "Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood" by Anees Jung, which brings attention to the plight of children working in harsh conditions. The story revolves around Saheb, a rag-picker from Seemapuri, and Mukesh, a young boy working in the bangle-making industry.
The narrator discusses the lives of these children, who are forced to work due to their families' poverty. Saheb dreams of a better life but is trapped in the cycle of poverty, picking rags for a living. Similarly, Mukesh, despite his desire to become a car mechanic, is tied to the bangle industry, working in dangerous conditions. Through these stories, the author highlights the violation of children’s rights to a childhood and education.
6. Lives of Children Like Saheb and Mukesh
Saheb: Saheb is a rag-picker from Seemapuri, a place where families live in extreme poverty. He dreams of a better life, but poverty keeps him in a cycle of scavenging for scraps. The work is tedious and offers little reward. His hope lies in the dream of a better future, but that dream is slowly fading as he grows older.
Mukesh: Mukesh, a young boy working in the bangle-making industry in Firozabad, represents the stark reality of child labour in India. His family has been involved in this work for generations. Though Mukesh aspires to become a mechanic and break free from the shackles of the bangle industry, he is constrained by poverty, lack of education, and the societal expectations that force him to continue working in the industry.
Both Saheb and Mukesh symbolize the lost childhoods of millions of children across India who are deprived of education and the opportunities to lead fulfilling lives.
7. Describe – Seemapuri (with Pictures)
Seemapuri is a place on the periphery of Delhi, where families live in makeshift houses and struggle to survive. The living conditions are deplorable, with no proper sanitation, electricity, or clean drinking water. Saheb’s family resides here, scavenging for rags to sell in the hopes of making enough to survive.
Children like Saheb spend their days in the garbage-filled streets, searching for scraps to sell. The slum is filled with dreams that remain unfulfilled as the children are forced to abandon their aspirations to help their families survive.
Images: You can include pictures of slums, rag-picking, and children working in poor conditions to depict Seemapuri.
8. Hazards of the Bangle Making Industry
The bangle-making industry in Firozabad is infamous for exploiting children. These children, like Mukesh, work in unhygienic conditions and face numerous health risks. The work involves handling glass and chemicals, which can be harmful, especially to young lungs and eyes. Additionally, the long hours of work and lack of education trap them in a cycle of poverty.
The industry's exploitation of children is a violation of their rights to safety, education, and a childhood. These children work in cramped spaces without any proper facilities, which negatively impacts their physical and mental well-being.
9. Initiatives Against Child Labour by Indian Government and Various NGOs
The Indian government and NGOs have implemented several initiatives to combat child labour:
The National Child Labour Project (NCLP): This program aims to eliminate child labour by focusing on rehabilitation. It provides education and vocational training to children working in hazardous industries.
Save the Children: This NGO works globally and in India to protect children from exploitation. They focus on ending child labour through advocacy, education, and intervention programs.
Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Movement): This organization, founded by Kailash Satyarthi, has played a major role in rescuing children from labour and trafficking, providing them with safe homes and education.
Childline India Foundation: Childline operates a 24-hour helpline for children in need, especially those facing exploitation or abuse.
10. SOS Children's Village in India
SOS Children’s Village is a non-governmental organization that provides a safe, supportive environment for children who have lost their families or are at risk of being exploited. The organization offers residential care, education, and healthcare, ensuring that children grow up in a nurturing environment.
SOS Children’s Village operates in multiple regions across India and provides an alternative to child labour by offering children opportunities for a better future. The organization’s goal is to help children grow into responsible adults and break free from the cycles of poverty and exploitation.
11. The Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act, 1986
The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 is a significant piece of legislation aimed at eliminating child labour in India. Key provisions include:
Prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 in hazardous occupations.
Regulates the working conditions for children in non-hazardous sectors, ensuring that they are not overworked and receive an education.
Ensures that children working in industries such as mines, factories, and hazardous environments are protected by law.
While the act has made progress, enforcement remains a challenge, and many children continue to work in informal sectors, often unnoticed.
12. Ways to Eliminate Child Labour
To eliminate child labour, several actions must be taken:
Improving Education Access: Make education free, compulsory, and accessible to all children, especially in rural areas.
Strict Enforcement of Laws: Strengthen the enforcement of child labour laws and punish those who exploit children.
Eradication of Poverty: Address the root cause of child labour by reducing poverty through welfare programs, financial assistance, and skill development for families.
Public Awareness: Educate society about the harmful effects of child labour and encourage people to report instances of child exploitation.
Empowering Families: Provide support and employment opportunities for families to reduce the need for child labour.
13. Bibliography
Books:
Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood by Anees Jung
Child Labour in India by Ranjan Kumar
Websites:
Save the Children
Bachpan Bachao Andolan
Reports/Articles:
"The State of Child Labour in India: A Government Report"
Articles from The Hindu and The Times of India on child labour in India.
