‘Childhood’ is every kid’s golden age, it is their period of joy and excellence. It is the period when new talents start to bud out and later form into marvelous blossoms. But amidst all this happiness and aspirations there is a wicked shadow looming around and that is ‘Child Labor’. Child labor has been a very crucial and pressing issue faced by mankind. It is a dark evil in disguise that destroys and annihilates thousands of dreams and proficient young minds each year. Unfortunately, children are forced into child labor due to the changing circumstances of life, and it thus ruins their entire career.
Child labor is basically the exploitation of children whose family could not make ends meet. And is therefore forced to work at a very young age to manage the needs of life. 12th June is celebrated as World Day against Child Labor that aims to spread awareness to prevent and fully stop this immoral culture. All children deserve to enjoy the sweet fruits of childhood, and there is no discrimination in it. According to a report approximately 20 million children are forced into child labor in India. India is one of the countries with the highest risk of child labor, due to the increasing population. Child Labor mostly affects undeveloped and developing countries due to the lack of basic necessities. Children are working in different industries and also suffer from different diseases and hazards.
When children get employed at a very young age it can affect their physical as well as mental health. It also affects ones education and further studies, and prevents him or her to attain a qualified and permanent job. One of the main reasons for child labor in India is poverty. In a poverty stricken nation, children are forced to earn money at a tender age. Despite laws stating that hiring children below 14 can result in imprisonment and fines, children themselves are offering to do labor to make a living. The primary and only solution to eradicate child labor can be done by improving the living standards of people. So basically to stop child labor, poverty and the lack of sufficient wealth should be eradicated initially.
In the past children used to help with the household activities and also in the field of agriculture under the supervision of their parents, which should be appreciated. Even the prime minister of our country is an inspiration, who rose the ranks from being a tea seller boy to the leader of our country. Another famous personality – Bill Gates who started his career as a newspaper boy, now he is one of the richest person in the world. This shows the determination of the young minds who shape the world, but this is different form child labor. Nowadays urban areas and factories are increasing in number, children are working in dangerous places. They are labored to make stuff bare handed and thus causing injuries and burns. All this nuisance should be stopped. It is the duty of the society and the government to help out these deprived and impoverished children.
The youth of a nation is just like a huge field filled with many nutrients. And when people dig into this field, they are opening the gates for these precious minerals to develop and nurture their capabilities and skills. The more minerals in the field, the much better the country becomes, and these minerals are the real wealth of one’s nation. We all know the famous saying that children are the future of tomorrow. So let us all strive to create a very suitable and friendly environment to cultivate these young grains which is the most precious asset of our country.