Andhra Pradesh - Nalgonda   

Ugadi rings in new hopes

By Our Staff Reporter

NALGONDA, MARCH. 20. Ugadi will not ring in the new year on a bitter note for these children.

For, over hundred of them have been prevented from joining the ranks of child labourers, thanks to the initiative taken by the Nalgonda district administration.

Ugadi is the time when landlords, hoteliers and the like seal deals for `employing' children till next Ugadi.

And this has been the practice in the backward district.

But things changed after concerted effort by officials.

In a special drive between March 18 and 20, over a hundred children, who would have ended as child labourers, were advised to enrol themselves in residential bridge schools.

"Last year too we managed to save hundreds of children," says M.A. Aziz, a community mobilising officer, with a touch of pride.

"Special attention is being given to the drive that is aimed at breaking the `Ugadi agreements', which, in fact, is a fallout of the severe drought situation," says the district Collector and Chairman of the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP), R.P. Sisodia. In the process, we are bringing awareness about the punishment that employers are liable to under the laws and also the benefits the children are extended, he says.

During the special drive on Saturday, children were seen running away from their work places on seeing the vehicle blaring out anti-child labour slogans.

One of them, Nagaraju of Goguvarigudem near Miryalaguda, poured out his woes to Aziz and field officer, Samer Kumar.

"I discontinued my studies in eighth class and joined work as my family's financial positions was in a bad shape," said Nagaraju, with tears.

He, however, told them that he would not mind going back to school provided his family was extended financial assistance.

With Aziz considering his plea, the boy is all set to go to school again.

Aziz and hundreds of others like him would certainly celebrate this Ugadi with gusto in new clothes and savour Ugadi `pachchadi'. Happy Ugadi, boys.

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