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Moving moments they are

S. Sundar

PARTING GIFT: Collector S.S. Jawahar handing over a book to an Indus Child Labour Project student in Virudhunagar.

VIRUDHUNAGAR: It was no farewell party. Neither were top officials present nor a long queue to offer shawls. Yet, an interactive session with the students of Indus Child Labour schools was a perfect platform for the outgoing Collector, S.S. Jawahar, to bid an emotional adieu to the district.

Over 150 students had come to the Collectorate as part of an educational tour. The plan was to go around the Collectorate, sports stadium, government museum, among other places. But the Collector turned it into a memorable day for the children.

During the 45-minute interaction, Mr. Jawahar took them in batches around the Collectorate, to his chamber and meeting hall. "The idea is to show them where top officials meet. It's just to tell them that they too can enter the chamber, not just as students, but as officials in future," the Collector said.

It was his last opportunity to meet these children after being transferred to Madurai as Senior Collector on Saturday. And he made the best use of it to stress the importance of education in one's life to build a career.

Indus Child Labour Project was close to his heart.

The zeal

A signature campaign, pasting of "no child labour employed here" stickers in shops, getting an affidavit from shop owners that they would not employ child labourers, assistance to mothers of those students — these were some of his efforts. He also formed flying squads to conduct surprise checks at trade and industrial establishments.

The notebooks, which the Collector had accepted in place of shawls while attending public meetings, were distributed to the children. He also gave them pens and pencils as a token of love. Of course, the most valued gift the children carried home was the confidence the Collector instilled in them.

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