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Sunday, July 22, 2012

Can you hear me?


Big city people are vociferous against child labour, yet unusually blind to it. When I bring you a glass of tea on the roadside, wipe the tables and clean the utensils, how come I miss your vision without fail?
Years ago, Mohan, our gardener, had kidnapped me from my home on the hills. Grandpa trusted him with not only the garden but also my safety, because I would be running around the garden. My parents used to work in the tea gardens – they returned at the fag end of the day.

Mohan took advantage of their absence and your age, Grandpa. On a day when clouds descended in a gentle mist, he slipped out with me on his shoulders... away from you, my family, my roots!!
I am here, Grandpa. Send Papa, please. Tell him to punish all Mohans who rob kids of their childhood. I don’t want to be “Chhotu”.. I am your naughty little brat!!

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Child labour is rising at an alarming rate, friends. Its time we join hands against it.
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This post is part of the contest A picture can say a thousand words.. on WriteUpCafe.com

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Nice thought.

ashok said...

very thoughtful post Anu

SG said...

I cannot tolerate child labor. We don’t visit a few Indian restaurants here where the owners let their elementary school children bus the tables, and that too after 8 pm. Worst in Pakistan.

Anupama K. Mazumder said...

@Piphi/Prateek,
Thanks a lot. Welcome aboard.

@Ashok,
I am quite amazed at your promptness.

@SG,
If only we could all unite and take a step like that!!
There is a social side to this: I once asked a small girl in a roadside dhaba her age, and she promptly replied that she was 18. She could not have been more than 10 you know, but she was taught to say 18 so that she could work as per law.

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

First time here.Very nice post Anupama..:-)Keep posting..:-)

Harish P I said...

Hm.. Child labor. Shame that we see it around us all the time and never cares about it.

sm said...

thoughtful post on child labor

Anupama K. Mazumder said...

@Homemaker,

Thanks and Welcome here!

@Harish,
That is what bothers me most. We know its wrong, yet we do not take a stand.

@SM,
Thanks. Its a crucial issue.

Kavita Sahu said...

Thoughtful and well put up... I read a couple of posts on your blog and believe me, I quite like the way you put your thoughts. Cheers to that.

Also, on another note, Thank you so much for dropping by my blog and leaving the sweet compliment... Feels great to be appreciated, No? ;)

Love,
Kavita.

P.S. Stay in Touch.

Raj said...

Beautiful written. A very elegant and intriguing narrative. You brought out a wonderful message so exquisitely. It was very touching and soul-stirring. All the very best for the competition.

Anupama K. Mazumder said...

@Kavita,
Cheers!!
Indeed, what could be better?

@Raj,
Thanks, thanks, thanks... what more can I say?

Red said...

Wow, beautifully put together. Thoughtful write

My Unfinished Life said...

beautifully written...and brings home the point from a point of one family one child..yet this is so relevant and happening all the time!!

http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/

Rachna said...

Finally took up your tag here, Anu:
http://www.rachnaparmar.com/2012/08/know-me-some-more.html