The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Join hands to eliminate child labour, says Manmohan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 15, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Join hands to eliminate child labour, says Manmohan

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, NOV.14. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today expressed confidence that child labour could be eradicated if all sections of society joined hands in rooting it out.

Speaking after handing over certificates to some child labourers, who have completed seventh class bridge course, at Aloor near Chevella in Ranga Reddy district on Sunday, he emphasised that no child should be left out of school.

The event, organised as part of the National Child Labour Project, coincided with the Children's Day. "Every child should be educated," he said and stressed the importance of sending children to school.

Mr. Singh praised the work of the Magsaysay Awardee, Shanta Sinha of the M.V. Foundation, and the district administration in eliminating child labour and educating them. He was confident of the movement spreading in the country. The Prime Minister shook hands with every child and patted him/her on the back before handing over the certificates.

Child's right

A girl child labourer, who has been liberated, urged the Prime Minister to make education compulsory so that each child got an opportunity to go to school and get the benefit of education.

"Childhood is our right. Why should we children be made to work", the gutsy girl questioned. She explained how she was able to leave behind the dreaded work as a labourer and take a step for her own betterment as also that of society.

Ms. Shanta Sinha detailed the work done by the foundation in rehabilitating children working in farms, quarries and households by sending them to bridge schools. She stated that almost every child in about 800 surrounding villages was getting education after intervention by the foundation.

She expressed confidence that the task taken up by the foundation and the district administration could be replicated elsewhere in the country. "There was a crying demand for children's education. Abolish child labour and take children to school," Ms. Sinha observed.

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