INDEX

1. Acknowledgement
2. Certificate
3. Objective
4. What is Child Labour?
5. Statistics in India/around the world
6. About the Author
7. Summary of the chapter
8. Character sketch of Mukesh and Saheeb
9. Hazards related to Bangle making industry
10. Initiative against child labour (In India)
11. SOS Children’s Village in India
12. The Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act, 1986
13. Ways to eliminate child labour
14. Bibliography

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I want to express my heartfelt and genuine gratitude to everyone who assisted me

in creating the project. With their proactive supervision, assistance,
collaboration, and encouragement, I completed the assignment before the
deadline.

I am incredibly grateful to my English teacher _____ for her invaluable advice and
assistance in seeing this project through to completion,

Additionally, I would like to express my profound gratitude to my parents, other

school faculty, and friends for their insightful advice, which helped me finish this
project.
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Certificate

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Objective

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WHAT IS CHILD LABOUR?

Child labour refers to the practice of employing children in work that deprives them of
their childhood, education, and potential, often in dangerous conditions. This issue is
common in developing countries, where children may work in sectors like agriculture,
mining, manufacturing, and domestic work. They are exploited for cheap labour, working
long hours for little pay, often without regard for their safety or well-being.

The most critical aspect of child labour is that it deprives children of their right to
education and development. Many children are forced into labour instead of attending
school, trapping them in poverty and limiting future opportunities. Without education,
they lack the skills needed to improve their standard of living as adults.

Child labour is harmful physically and psychologically. Children working in unsafe

environments may face serious health risks due to dangerous chemicals, heavy
machinery, and poor working conditions. Additionally, they often endure physical and
emotional abuse, leading to long-term trauma and developmental issues.

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STATISTICS OF CHILD LABOUR IN INDIA

Child labour remains a significant issue in India, with an estimated 10.1 million children
aged 5 to 14 engaged in work, according to the 2011 Census. The majority of child
laborers are found in rural areas, primarily working in agriculture, with many others
employed in manufacturing and domestic work. Despite legal measures like the Child
Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, of 1986, which bans child labour in hazardous
industries, and the Right to Education Act, of 2009, which promotes education for
children, the problem persists. Gender disparity exists, with boys working mainly in
agriculture and girls often in domestic labour. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the
situation, pushing more children into informal work due to economic hardship. Although
there has been some progress in reducing child labour, it remains a slow and uneven
process, particularly in poorer regions, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement of
laws and greater access to education.
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About the Author

Anees Jung (1944) was born in Rourkela and spent her childhood and adolescence in
Hyderabad. She received her education in Hyderabad and the United States of
America. Her parents were both writers. Anees Jung began her career as a writer in
India. She has been an editor and columnist for major newspapers in India and abroad
and has authored several books. The following is an excerpt from her book titled Lost
Spring, Stories of Stolen Childhood. Here she analyses the grinding poverty and
traditions which condemn these children to a life of exploitation.

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Summary of the Chapter
‘Lost Spring’, written by Indian writer Anees Jung, is an excerpt from her book ‘Lost
Spring, Stories of Stolen Childhood’. In it, she analyzes the lives of children living in
poverty. This chapter presents stories about two children who face poverty in all aspects
of their lives and yet dare to dream big. The writer, Anees Jung, is the narrator of both
stories in the chapter.

‘Sometimes I Find a Rupee in the Garbage '

The narrator talks about Saheb, a young ragpicker she sees every morning. Saheb
came from Dhaka after his home was destroyed by storms. His family moved to
Seemapuri near Delhi to survive. When the narrator suggests he go to school, he says
there isn't one nearby. She jokingly promises to start a school, and Saheb's excitement
makes her realize that such promises are rarely kept.

The narrator describes the harsh lives of poor children who walk barefoot, with the
excuse that it’s a tradition, though it’s really due to poverty. She recalls meeting a man
from Udipi who prayed for shoes as a child, and years later, she saw a boy there
wearing them, showing how some prayers are eventually answered.

Seemapuri is home to many poor families who rely on rag-picking for survival. They
have no proper identity, only ration cards for food and voting. For children like Saheb,
finding a coin is a big achievement. One day, Saheb gets old tennis shoes and feels
thrilled, even though one has a hole.

Later, Saheb starts working at a tea stall, earning ₹800 and meals. But he seems
unhappy because he has lost the freedom he had as a ragpicker. The steel canister he
now carries feels heavier than the plastic bag he used to carry.

Seemapuri:
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‘I Want to Drive a Car’

This excerpt highlights the fate of banglemakers in Firozabad, where poverty dominates
their lives. Mukesh, a young boy, takes the narrator to his home, where she sees
families working near furnaces in extreme heat, without proper light or air. Most are
unaware that such child labour is illegal. Bangle-making passed down through
generations within their caste, keeps them trapped in poverty.

Despite the entire family working, Mukesh’s family cannot afford a proper house or three
meals a day. Others in the area share the same fate. Fear of police and middlemen
stops them from forming cooperatives to improve their lives. They are paying the price
for their ancestors’ entrapment by middlemen.

The narrator observes a vicious cycle involving sahukars, police, and middlemen that
prevents the bangle makers from rising above their circumstances. Trapped by poverty
and social stigma, no one dares to leave this profession.

Mukesh, however, dreams of becoming a motor mechanic. When the narrator asks if he
wants to be a pilot, he shyly replies that being a mechanic is a dream within his reach,
while flying a plane feels impossible.

Firozabad:

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Character Sketch of Saheeb

 ● Hopeful - Scrounges for gold in garbage dumps, always hoping to find something
valuable.
● Ironically named- His name means ‘Lord of the universe’, contracting with his life
as a rag picker.
● Deprived- Lives in poverty without access to basic amenities like sewage,
drainages and running water.
● Carefree to Burdened- Transitions from a carefree rag picker to an unhappy
worker at a tea stall.
● Rootless- Has no identity other than a ration card, symbolic of the marginalised
existence of his community.

Character Sketch of Mukesh

● Dreamer- Aspires to become a motor mechanic, dreaming beyond the

constraints of his community.
 ● Prideful- Takes pride in his small, overcrowded house and its ongoing
renovations.
● Determined- Unwavering in his pursuit of a better future, despite limited
resources.
● Practical- grounded in reality, he knows becoming a pilot is impractical and
focuses on achievable goals.
● Resilient- WIlling to work hard to change his circumstances, embodying hope
and courage.

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Hazards related to Bangle making industry

1. Health Issues: Workers face respiratory problems, burns, and lung diseases from
high temperatures and harmful fumes. Eye strain and even blindness are
common due to constant exposure to glass particles.
2. Child Labor: Many children work in unsafe conditions, risking their physical and
mental growth. Long hours without protective gear make them prone to injuries.
3. Lack of Safety: Workers lack proper equipment like gloves and masks, leading to
frequent cuts, burns, and other accidents.
4. Economic Exploitation: Low wages and exploitation force entire families into this
dangerous work, with no access to medical care.
5. Generational Impact: Long-term exposure causes chronic health problems,
keeping families trapped in poverty and unsafe work for generations.

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Initiatives taken in India to prevent Child labour

● Legislation: India has laws that prohibit child labour, such as the Factories Act,
of 1948, which prohibits children under 14 from working in factories, and the
Mines Act, of 1952, which prohibits children under 18 from working in mines.
The Right To Education Act, of 2009, provides free and compulsory education to
children aged 6 to 14.
● NGOs: NGOs like CRY India, Save the Children, and UNICEF work to raise
awareness, rescue children from exploitative situations, and provide education,
healthcare, and support services to affected children and their families.
 ● Public awareness campaigns: Spreading awareness can motivate parents to
enroll their children in school.
● Educate parents: Action Education partnered with the government and the
Telangana Brickworks Association to provide educational solutions for child
labourers' parents

SOS Children's Villages in India

It is part of the global SOS Children's Villages organization, which provides care,
education, and support to children who have lost parental care or are at risk of losing it.
Established in 1964, SOS India works to ensure that every child grows up in a loving
and secure environment.

Key Features of SOS Children's Villages in India:

Family-Based Care:
- Children are raised in family-like settings, with an SOS mother who takes care of 8–10
children.
-Each village has homes, a school, and healthcare facilities, creating a supportive and
nurturing environment.

Focus on Education:
-SOS emphasizes quality education to empower children for a better future.

-Children attend schools within the village or nearby institutions, with scholarships
provided for higher studies.

Support for Vulnerable Families:

-The Family Strengthening Program helps at-risk families with financial aid, counselling,
and skills training to prevent child abandonment.

Spread Across India:

- There are over 30 SOS Villages in India, located in cities such as Delhi, Chennai, and
Kolkata, serving thousands of children.

Long-Term Impact:
-SOS supports children until they are independent, providing vocational training and
career guidance.

-It focuses on holistic development, ensuring emotional, educational, and social growth.

Mission:

- SOS Children's Villages aims to provide a safe and stable environment for every
child, helping them grow into confident and self-reliant individuals.
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Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986

● The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986 designates a child as
a person who has not completed their 14th year of age. It aims to regulate the
hours and the working conditions of child workers and to prohibit child workers
from being employed in hazardous industries.
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To eliminate child labour in India, we need a combined approach:

1. Better Education: Ensure free, quality education for all children and provide
incentives like free uniforms and meals to encourage attendance.

2. Enforce Laws: Strengthen the enforcement of child labour laws and punish
employers who violate them.

3. Support Families: Provide financial aid to poor families and offer skill training to
help them earn a living without relying on child labour.

4. Raise Awareness: Educate communities about the harms of child labour and
the importance of sending children to school.

5. Corporate Responsibility: Hold companies accountable for child labour in their

supply chains and encourage ethical business practices.

6. Vocational Training: Offer skill training for older children, so they can work
safely when they are of age.

7. Child Protection: Set up helplines and rescue programs for children in danger
and provide rehabilitation, including education and healthcare.

These steps can help eliminate child labour and give children a better future.
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Conclusion

To conclude, child labour is a grave issue that robs children of their childhood,
education, and opportunities for a better future. Addressing this problem requires
collective action from governments, communities, organizations, and individuals. By
enforcing strict laws, providing access to quality education, supporting families in need,
and raising awareness about the harms of child labour, we can create a society where
children are free to learn, play and live a happy life without any burden.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Pixabay - World Day Against Child Labour Illustration

Wikipedia - Child Labour Population in India (2011 Census)

Rungh.org - Anees Jung Profile

Edurev - Character Sketch of Lost Spring

Filming Indo - Firozabad: The Glass City of India

Private Photo Review - Bangles: The Hands That Paint Them

Borgen Project - Educating Children in India

Twitter - Vijay Darda on Child Labour

English class 12 Textbook- Lost spring chapter