Nationl Meet on Child Labour and Right to Education

New Delhi, 26 Aug: A gamut of representatives of civil society organizations and networks drafted a resolution of demands today at the concluding session of the two-day ‘National Meet on Abolition of Child Labour and on Right to Education’.

Taking the process forward the group would meet the Power Minister S.K. Shinde and hand over the memorandum. It will also be sent to all the Members of Parliament, the Chief Ministers, and the Prime Minister,

On the second day of the National Meet, grassroots workers, social activists and academicians from 15 states of the country not only shared their experiences on the prevailing status of Child Labour and children’s education in their respective states but also evolved a common set of action plan for the next three months – till the beginning of the next Parliament Session.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Agarwal, Advocate, Supreme Court reminded those present that it is a very critical issue that has its own political ramifications. Hence the civil society has to make a concerted effort in mobilizing and pressuring the Government so that the policy makers understand the gravity of the issue. He further added that mass movement in Delhi has already been initiated with the organizing of camps for the children who were denied admission in MCD schools.

Reinforcing the need of a discussion on the issue in the Parliament, Rajan Mohanty, National Convener of Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL) emphasized that there is an urgent requirement to make sustainable efforts at Parliamentary Advocacy on this issue and at the same time strengthen the national campaign by including grassroots voices.

The five-point resolution, which was prepared under the guidelines of M.V. Foundation, Social Jurist and CACL demands, the Parliament of India must ensure that the Act on free and compulsory education is properly implemented at national level. It also opposes Central Government decision to enact a law on the basis of the ‘Model Bill’ at the state level. The resolution further demands that the Parliament recognizes 250 million children in 6-14 yeas age group and of 160 million children in 0-6 years age group as citizen of the country and takes up full responsibility of them.

Yet another demand is that Parliament should pass a law to put blanket ban on all forms of Child Labour.

Finally the resolution urges the Parliament to ensure that principles of equity and justice is reflected in every clause that is introduced for protection of children’s Right to Education in accordance with the Kothari Commission recommendations of the Common School System.

Pointing out the urgency of the need to build a mass movement around the issue, Enakshi Ganguly of Haq, Centre for Child Right said, “It is very unfortunate even after 20 years of drafting of the Bill we are stuck on the same arguments. We need to stop and think whether there is something lacking in our strategy that such a critical issue has not assumed the character of a National Movement”

Reinforcing the need of a discussion on the issue in the Parliament, Rajan Mohanty, National Convener of Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL) emphasized that there is an urgent requirement to make sustainable efforts at Parliamentary Advocacy on this issue and at the same time strengthen the national campaign by including grassroots voices.

Shramana Majumder 9818095049, 011-41600905 or Suraj Kumar at 9810085910

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Source Social Jurist

http://www.socialjurist.com/

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My comments

I happned to attend the above mentioned national level meeting. I was listening to the Civil society representatives quite carefully........a question that was being repetatively asked was "why the need for a common school system, absolute abolition of child labour and complete access to right to education have not taken the shape of a national movement." Why it is so that a larege section of the society are actually not interested in taking up the cause.

It is a great inspiration to see the amount of mass campaigning being done for Right to Information, we need such large level of campaign for education as well. We need to involve all groups of people in it. It is commonly understood that lack of education is a problem only faced by rural India which is a myth. Delhi alone has around 6-7 lacs of children out of school. True India doesn't lives in the City but the cities have a lot of migration which is why its important that steps are taken to ensure 100% education for children in the cities.

To my understanding its very important to involve the upper middle class urban youth in the campaign. People from this genre have a lot of resources, inclination but lack in direction. They can be oriented by the people behind the cause to become more proactive. The youth should be able to take positive action wherever they see a child of 6-14 not going to school and engaged in child labour.

Further, as being pointed by almost all participants in the meeting the thumbrule adopted by MV foundation, non opposition, we should follow that. We should seek support from all parties, entities, groups. To give an example social jurist along with CACL can have a representation in the upcoming Hutch Delhi Marathon. The event attracts a lot of attention we would be able to attract (a) media attention and (b) Middle and upper middle class' attention to the cause through it.

To attract mass attention we must adhere to technology, internet, online discussion forums, online communities through Yahoo or Google groups. We must learn from Anna Hazare and others involved in RTI Campaign.

Education is the back bone of development we cannot compromise on it on any ground. No body should be allowed to contend that children have to work because otherwise there is no one to earn bread. Given a situation where the child is the only bread earner in a family the state has to provide the bread to the family and to the child...whatever it takes for the state to clear the child's road to School. This being a fundamental right no other argument can stand. It's time this message is spread like fire amongst each and every tax payer in this country. After all we pay an education cess to ensure education for all children. It is then the responsibility of the state to clear all obstacles.

Another point that came up in the meeting was that information and data, its collection and distribution amongst all levels of activists is extremely important for activism and campaign. A grass root level worker from Assam said its very difficult for them to attain information as to what decision is being taken in Center, what strategies and action plan are being adopted by bigger and more active NGOs.

The campaign is surely taking shape but a lot needs to be done and More and more volunteers are needed for it.

Please Join Social Jurist as a volunteer and contribute.

Grow up people

People sometimes act so cowardly and Hypocritacilly. I have written testimonials for some people I know. Wanted to have this guy's feedback on what I had to write about him. He read it and got so panic stricken, left offliners for me, comments on the blog itself and then spoke over the phone asking me to do the needful editing. The reason for panic...only the words

the rest of his time is spent in drinking and shopping.

I haven't written drinking what...haven't mentioned anything like he drinks a lot and is a drunkard. Just the mention of drinks is defamatory for him. He is an IITian and an MBA has spent 3 years in abroad (Ameriaca, Singapore etc) holding top notch corporate position and yet by those words I have put him at the risk of loosing his reputation in the eyes of society and family. This is what he had to say (Yahoo Messenger Offliners)

SP: dont forget internet is an open book! u have to be careful about what u
write else people can make 1+1 = 4!

SP: oye madam ... yeh kya kya likh rakha hai aapne logon ke baare mein! no
one here drinks like a fish or shops like an alcoholic! all we do is have a
party or 2 in a month! KIndly edit as not only my friends/bros/sis are net savvy
but also this sends a wrong message across!

A wrong message??? coz I said drinks? Reputation of what? Since when did drinking become such a taboo.

Who are you fooling man. Don't the people around you already know that you drink. And a friendly testimony in which of many things there is a passing reference to your drinking habits would be taken so seriously by your friends and family. Strange.

Grow up People of India. Open your eyes to things which are of much more significance than mere reputation, tradition, culture, morality, sanctity, decent indecent...there's much more to the human existence. Log kya sochenge...kab tak hum is sawal mein uljhe rahenge...can I not find one person who isn't burdened with this question. How can we close our eyes to things which are too evident to proclaim that they doesn't exist. Probably your Net-savy sisters also drink and if they do, that shouldn't be an issue with your parents.

This way my another friend is sensible though in many way he is a typical male chauvinist. He is a Bihari pandit. For studies, like all bihari sons he has been in Delhi. Here he has picked up drinking and eating Non Veg. He has told his dad that he has started non veg and he has aproved. His dad is a renowned Astrologer himself having clients from all over the world and yet he aproved. But he haven't told them that he smokes and drinks too...that's because they haven't asked him and he says the day a context comes he would be honest about it. he has no fear and makes no deliberate attempt to be discreet about it.

This post is in reaction to Paavani's post. First I started writing in her comments section, then I thought of writing on the DBM mailing list. Finally I thought it would be safest to post it here. However I couldn't post it to blogger (for some reason i couldn't publish) so posted on the mailing list. And once again all hell broke loose.

I wonder why is it so difficult to express

First of all Paavani I applaud your bravery on this post.. though I am not sure if you are yourself aware or not but you have raised some extremely sensitive issues...

"So the question is when there is a popularity of such event, people love to be
part of bloggers meet even though internally they feel its more like a socializing meet. And you expect to meet new friends and on getting chances, you mingle up"

a) What is the substance of this commune...where are we going with all these meets?

AFAIK the bloggers when were united in this forum... the purpose was to just try out something new, the culture of net users was very different back then and as TF puts it in the BBC program "meeting people you have only known through web wasn't very common" untill this happen. The first meet am sure must have happened under exitement and little bit of apprehension but then they actually liked it and continued with it...

Off late I have begin to wonder after 2+ years and a series of significant meets isn't it time for something more substantial and constructive

"Why did they never become one? And what were the issues that rose up for
registration and most important what about those bloggers’ opinion who
joined both the groups? Is there any difference"

b) Why two seperate groups under same nomenclature and the politics amongst them?

Who better can talk about this but me..... you gotta ask the oldies of both the groups to understand who better but me... But I am falling short of courage these days so would refrain. Just one thing, blogging politics haven't begun in India yet in the true sense but its not too far... Your post have instance of it though is a little scattered.

One small eg. The XIIth Meet was called in a very short notice and we had 22 member participating... with big shots like Dan coming along...... now there surely is a politics behind it and one needs to understand that...

BTW what registration are you talking bout? Don't tell me the other group have done some kinda registration....

c) Why some members who quit some time back have joined again? Did they join only for the XIIth meet or have they joined the group again? Do they have a notion as to what is the purpose of this group since they are the oldest and also the founding members. What is their present take on the existence of two groups? Are they a part of the other groups?

d) And finally honestly how was the XIIth Meet? Could all those who attended give an honest opinion of the meet?

Personally if I was a first timer in this meet I wouldn't have been interested in coming for another one. Not saying it was bad but not worth repeating especially with the cost that was involved. The 22 never interacted as a group except for the round of introduction. As soon as it was over everybody was busy talking amongst themselves. There was no fecilitator and no one to hold a discussion. The venue was chosen arbitly and important points like balance between financial capacity and spending preferences of all members, location, choice of food and timings were not kept in mind.

I am always the one to ask the wrong questions, am always giving the bad news.... while I too won't take name but I have been told by a member, and i quote, "delhibloggers need some strong moderation I think, I feel the group is degenerating into idle talk."

I am not supporting this statement completely for I don't think it needs moderation... but I am concerned about (asking me what is *my* concern? good question but I don't have an answer) such bloggers who join this community with a certain perceptions and expectations but are disappointed....

May be we should have more opinion on all that...

Disclaimer:

Please don't start a flame war.... that's not at all my intention... would rather like to Apologise in advance if any of my staments amount to flaming.....and I also don't have the courage to fight anymore flame wars....

The word *politics* here is being used in its true sense as used in social and philosophical research and not as understood in the popular indian context.