Educate a child, be it a girl or a boy |
Shocking Realities
Children in the slums can only dream of a toy car and going
to a regular school is farfetched a thought. I was watching a documentary
recently and was shocked to see the tiny children work in a charcoal factory
and their clothes were dirty and smeared with the black ash. They had a
different way of life, picking up anything and everything in the city among the
garbage dumps that would go to make charcoal. The process of making charcoal
was not hi-tech and was based on the olden methods of covering the wood and the
materials properly and setting the fire at the perfect temperature required for
charcoal. If it backfires, everything is lost. The young children here collect
the charcoal in small pieces and go their ways determined to sell and make a daily
living. They never desire to go to school as their requirement was basic
food. Children are made to sell coloring
books and comics in the city. These children hardly get to read but made to
sell educative books to make a living. The scene at war zones is even more
terrifying. The makeshift schools are also pulled down because of bombing of
missiles so the chances of imparting education for free is also curtailed but
uncouth masses who talk weapons.
Girl Child Myth
Across the world, there are children hardly aged 10 or even less who are seen doing menial jobs or forced into tough jobs without being given any health aids or proper food. Child trafficking is another atrocious crime that highlights the lower morals of humans to dire extremes. Female foeticide is not uncommon these days and where we talk about equality of rights for men and women alike there is one disgraceful group of people who still believe that girl child is a boon and bury them live as soon as they are born. It is an irony to see people worship Goddess in various forms for realization of different desires. They easily justify the killing of a girl baby because it has been the tradition without any counter questioning. It comes from the so called ‘educated’ masses so blaming the ‘uneducated’ alone makes no sense at all.
There are so many NGOs across the world helping the children
with education and basic requirements of food, water and shelter. There are so
many awareness drives and donation schemes that call for contribution in cash
and kind to help every underprivileged child with education, books, pencils,
food and clothing and there are millions actively contributing too. But then
why is there still the dark cloud of slavery and poverty that is preventing
children from getting the basic learning? Are the donations being used
extensively for the purpose of educating such children or does it disappear
half way?
Bravery and Faith Radiates
Noble Peace
The Nobel Peace Prize 2014 for Malala Yousafzai and Kailash
Satyarthi definitely requires a standing ovation. This is not because she is a
Pakistani or he is an Indian, it is because they have been contributing towards
child rights and education under the clouds of life threats. Everyone has heard
about their achievements, whether it is about ‘Malala Diary’ or the Bachpan Bachao
Andolan (Save Childhood Movement), they never let the fire of hope die
off. She has had a miraculous recovery
despite the Taliban gunshot targeting her for supporting female education in
SWAT valley. He has been risking his life many a times while rescuing hundreds
and thousands from the clutches of those who used them as bonded labour for
their own purpose. Malala is 17 while Kailash is 60 but then their works are
commendable because of their strong belief that child education is above
religion, above wars and a fundamental right that needs to be respected and
promoted.
Bring back the Smiles
We all work for earning a living, eat good food, wear good
dresses and take care of our families respectively. These Nobel laureates did not help others for
recognition, they started alone and gradually their voice was heard universally
beyond hatred, vengeance and bad deeds. It does not happen overnight. But then we can contribute in our little
ways. A smile on their face is precious and priceless. Together we can make a
million smiles happen to make the world a better place for the children and
youth who still grapple in the dust today. Wake up to brighten up their lives
and retain their innocent smile towards noble peace and humanity.