FOR THE MOTION 

Ever been to a roadside Chaiwala or a Shuddh Desi Dhaba . If yes, then atleast for once , you might have noticed a small boy of 12 or 13 in rags , with a towel on his shoulders, serving you chai or taking your orders . In a very carefree manner you say him " oe chhotu , chai laa".

Whether it's you or your parents or their parents.You do it , We all do it. Many of us love watching Ruhi in the show 'Yeh h Mohabbatein ' and Tapu in 'Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chasma' . Right !!Of course,they are lovely to watch. But, they too are made to work, Then why do we call them CHILD ARTISTS and not CHILD LABOURERS .

 But, the Truth is this that each and every child who works to receive any amount for the work done is Child Labour . For abolishing child labour , the Government is at work . In the year 1986, Child labour Amendment Act said that, A Child can put in some minimum number of hours for a particular work. A Child must receive an hour break after every three hour stretch. They can't work between 7pm and 8am . But , the main point is this that here, Child refers to any person who has not completed his 14 years of age. But , The Child labour amendment act 2016 is a step further than this one.

 This Amendment completely prohibits engagement of children below the age of 14 in all occupations and processes so that, they are able to enjoy their fundamental right to education under right of children to free and compulsory education act 2009. The bill also makes engaging child labour an offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of not less than 6 months  and upto 2 years, or by fine of not less than 20000RS or RS 50000 or even both . This amendment has been slapped by the child rights activists saying, that it will throw children into a bigger pool of child labour . 

But , I strongly oppose that ,Because, this act prohibits any Child under 14 to  work in any kind of occupation. Thus, it gives them time and opportunity both, to receive Education . Either rich or poor all need Education and to make it more accessible, Government has made it cheaper. 

But still, rather then sending children to school if we send them to work places then, who is at FAULT??? We or the Government? As I told before this Act prohibits a child under 14 to engage in any kind of activity whether its hazardous or not? because he is a mere child he can not decide what is hazardous and what's not ?? 

Talking further about the Amendment, it allows children to work in Family Enterprises only on holidays and after school hours.  But even that is not appreciated by child right activists. The main point is this, that to make hundred from ten it needs to pass on from 9 different stages.

It needs Experience, A child will be able to learn all the skills required right from his childhood. This amendment very strongly focuses that a child will be allowed to work only and only if work has no effect on his studies and no interference in school hours. Do you still think that this Amendment is against children? if yes !! then think again. 

Furthermore, Government also enhances the strictness and punishment for employing child labour. What else do we expect ?? In  India , BBA  that is Bachpan Bachao Andolan has been responsible for rescuing around 5000 children below 14 yrs between January 2010 to December 2014 with the help of Government Agencies , Police and Judiciary . This act as well is going to give opportunities for under 14 to live their life.

 Besides all Controversies, just for once think about that child who is eager to learn but is thrown into this Terrible World of Child Labour.... What was his Fault??? 

In the age , when he needs to go to school, when his hands must hold pen and notebook ,he is made to work in farms, shops and  even in our homes. If you want them to work, then School is the best place to Work. On this, I remember quoting few lines from a poem that i recently read .....

             babu ji ek rupaiyadedo , kehke aaya paas mere 

             chehre parmoti,pet mein bhookh, le aaya wo paas mere

             guzar gayaaankhon ke aage , kyun uskaa sara bachpan                      haath jod kyukhada rha , aankon k age saara bachpan.

             kabhi kitabon tohkabhi foolo ko bechne ki jugat me                           khota bachpan                     

             dhue or shor k beech, kyu ashko mein khota bachpan.

                            

              

                                               

Every child has the Right to Live his Life and Right to Study. It is heart breaking to think that in this age of Technology and Communication , Where we know everything that's happening in the  farthest corners of the world ,Children are at such disgusting stage. 

When we have children like Priyanshi Somani who became the Winner of Mental Calculation World Cup in 2010 like Kautlya Pandit who is named as " GOOGLE BOY " and Satyam Kumar who is the youngest one ever to crack IIT  exam , we still are narrow minded and poor in thoughts to send them in work places. Talking about their backgrounds, they all belong to simple backgrounds and even one of them is son of a Farmer . Just imagine, if their parents too forced them to work. Would they be child genius as they are !! 

We all have heard about "NO PAIN NO GAIN"... if we want to grow and develop we need not send to farms and factories. But there is no harm in letting them discover their ancient family works.

 There are certain kinds of works where family support is needed but we can't name it as CHILD LABOUR. If a boy helps his father in his Business, Would we call it a Child Labour ??    NO ..... This Amendment clearly differentiates Child Labour and Child Help. If a child is happy and willing to work , then he must be allowed .

 There are children who even after attaining degrees find it suitable to work in Family Establishments. Instead of wasting time in finding a perfect job , What if he already knows what he is best at . They will be experienced, right from their Childhood. They will be sure about the field they want to pursue.

 In this Amendment, Adolescents too are not allowed to work in hazardous occupation. They can get themselves involved in an occupation that allows them to earn money because at this stage they are grown up enough to contribute in their Family's Income.

Government is taking hard steps through these Amendments, and is in need of our support..Government is not to be blamed when we send our children to work places to earn some money.If we want to abolish Child Labour,We need to pull it out from its roots.

                              Remember, a potter's child will end up as a Potter ;a Weaver's child as a Weaver ;a Farmer's son as a Farmer ; but if we give them chances to Bloom, they will improve Family's condition and make our Nation Brighter.

ABOUT THE WRITER:

 Kajal Arora is a first year student of University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab University. She has won the written debate competition organised by legal daftar.#KUDOS