India is constantly in the headlines for being an emerging economy and an important future global player. Therefore, it is easy to forget just how many impoverished people live there.
India is home to more street children than any other country in the world. These children aren't registered at birth and therefore legally non-existent. They aren't counted on food ration books, can't access healthcare and often can't enrol in school without proof of age or residence.
Inevitably, these children have limited options. They are vulnerable to traffickers, pimps and being recruited into begging groups. As child labour is not illegal in India, they often become the main breadwinners for their families as immediate earnings are prioritised over education. These uneducated children become illiterate adults and the cycle continues.
However, there are some children who have the hunger and drive to make a change in their life. With the backing of the Indian charity CHETNA, street and working children across 4 Indian states write and edit their own broadsheet paper, which is published every 3 months. The newspaper is written in Hindi and titled 'Balaknama', which is translated as 'Children's Voice'.
'Balaknama' tackles serious issues, which affect the staff, who are all between 8 and 18 years old, such as police brutality, child marriage and illegal child labour. These reporters, arguably, know more about these issues than most other journalists as they live through it.
Although, not all the reporters can read and write yet, they find a way for their voice to be heard by dictating their stories and views to their friends.This is their first recognition as 'proper' people, not just a necessary part of the ecosystem; those who belong at the bottom of the pile because of widespread belief in Karma. As the chief reporter Vijay Kumar (age 18) says: "Street children are like ghosts, no-one notices and no-one cares. Our newspaper, Balaknama means children's voice…that's what it gives us. People need to listen.'
The way these young people are finding a way to speak out about their own futures is truly inspiring and I hope it motivates you to create something with your life. I, for one, will definitely be blogging more regularly!
Please check out these links to find out more and support these young people:
Chanel 4 programme
CHETNA
CHETNA's UK partner
Such an important topic to bring to the public's attention. Such a fantastic project.
ReplyDeletePlease do write more blogs, this one is FAB.
Thank you so much :) Will be more to come in the next few weeks xxx
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