Arya Samaj

Shishya · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:37 pm Post subject: India Bans Child Domestic Labour

India Bans Child Domestic Labour
by
Geeta Pandey
BBC News, Delhi

The Indian government has announced a ban on children working as domestic servants or in roadside food stalls.

The order, which applies to children under 14, will come into effect in October, officials say.

It also bans children from teashops, restaurants, hotels, motels, resorts, spas or other recreational centres.

There are estimated to be more than 12.6 million child workers in India, many of whom work as domestic helps or in small roadside restaurants.

Vulnerable

A senior official in the Labour Ministry, SK Srivastava, told the BBC that "the Technical Advisory Committee on Child Labour regularly surveys the risk factors involved in any industry and depending on our findings we have taken this decision".

The committee, while recommending the ban, warned that children under 14 were vulnerable to physical, mental and even sexual abuse.

Mr Srivastava said that anyone found violating the ban would be penalised under the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act of 1986. Punishment range from a fine to imprisonment.

India has laws in place to protect children and bans the use of young workers in hazardous industries, but they remain ineffective in many areas.

Thousands of children continue to work in firecracker and matchstick factories or are involved in carpet weaving, embroidery or stitching footballs.

Many parents say crippling poverty forces them to send their children, sometimes as young as five or six, to work in other people's homes or in factories.

Most of these children are made to work in unhealthy conditions for long hours and paid poorly.

(Source)

Deepan Abisuriya · Junior Member Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 66

Namaste,

It is really a good step!

Deepan.

Darshani · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 5:56 am Post subject:

Namaste,

It takes little steps to change events and this is one of many around the world.
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Namaste,
Darshani.

Deepan Abisuriya · Junior Member Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 66

Namaste Darshani,

Rightly said, these steps, I think will lead to the sathya yuga of the yuga philosophy, where there will be enlightenment and peace. How can it be if children don't get educated and spend their childhood as children should, unprepared to bear the burdens of life. Education develops personality and when the mind starts to think on its own, enlightenment begins.

And if all the souls of the generation are enlightened, it will be the sathya yuga.

Deepan.

Darshani · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:30 am Post subject:

Namaste Deepan,

Children should be educated and not be burdened with problems at such a young age. We live in a society ensures equality, these children should have a chance to develop their own lives and become all that they can become in life. Education is therefore a MUST for children
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Namaste,
Darshani.

Amrita Singh · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:58 am Post subject: Surely a positive step!

I agree with both of you, Deepan bhai and Darshani behen. Indeed, it is one step that will not only benefit the children alone but the country also in the long run. India's children will be much more educated and wise, as opposed to being vulnerable to various types of abuse.
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Krinvanto Vishvam Aaryam Havan

Namaste

Amrita

Deepan Abisuriya · Junior Member Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 66

Yes behenjis,

God's grace let your dream of "Indian children - well educated in the world" come true. I think this also should be a part of Ramarajaya stapana. In my Araya samaj , every sunday our panditji shouts a slogan saying "ramrajya ka stapana ho".

I firmly believe , if this slogan has to be put in practice to bring the change, first step should be educating the children, and most importantly with the vedic dharma which has the hundu culture and family values, to bring in a sense of duty to the society and the world at large, having the hindu identity in them.

Thanks.
Deepan.