The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Poverty `at root of child labour'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Poverty `at root of child labour'

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JUNE 9. Poverty is at the root of child labour, said V. Kalyanam, former secretary to Mahatma Gandhi, here today.

"Conducting a day-long awareness programme or organising a seminar will not yield results,'' he said at an anti-child labour day function organised by the non-governmental organisation Peace Trust.

Money and resources that were available in plenty in India should be properly utilised to help find a solution to issues such as child labour, he said.

Salaries and perks of legislators and parliamentarians could be reduced, he suggested, adding that the amount thus saved could be used to educate children or to provide them with educational infrastructure. Such a measure could help end child labour in the long run, he added.

On the occasion, Peace Trust had prepared a `Thought Provoking Board', which talked about the importance of not compromising on children's education, freedom and the right to live.

As part of the Trust's direct interaction programme, it would interact with hotel and tea shop owners in the city and explain about child labour, said S. Ramachandran, field researcher with the Peace Trust.

The Trust authorities also said that the `board' would be displayed at commercial areas such as T. Nagar for the next three days.

Then, it would be taken to other areas along with awareness material on child labour, they said. The Trust has already inaugurated an anti-child labour awareness desk at a hotel in Royapettah.

Peace Trust also organised a photo exhibition on the occasion.

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