Other States - Orissa   

Rescued child labourers await succour

Photo: Lingaraj Panda

What’s ahead?: Some of the boys of Tahar village who were rescued from a bangle-making unit. —

BERHAMPUR: Though almost a year has passed since their rescue from a bangle-making unit in Mumbai, life has not changed much for the nine children of Tanhar village of Ganjam district.

They were rescued and brought back to their village in September last. The wounds on their body allegedly inflicted by their employers with red hot rods and glass healed. But, the promise of good life that politicians and officials made to them have not materialised as yet.

After the issue hogged the headlines last year, the government opened a National Child Labour Project School (NCLP) in the village. At present, some 50 children of the village are studying in the school. Sunil Dash is the only rescued child who studies in the school. Two other rescued children, Ganesh Pradhan and Chetan Muni, study at the local government school. But, the rest of the rescued children preferred to discontinue studies to get involved in agricultural work along with their parents.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also visited the village after the children were rescued from Mumbai and brought back to their village.

At his instance efforts were made to form two women Self Help Groups (SHG) comprising female members of families of rescued children. The two SHGs were promised loans worth Rs. 5 lakhs each to alleviate their economic condition. But, the two SHGs were yet to start the dairy project they thought of setting up. With first instalment of money they could build cowsheds. But they were empty as they were yet to get the next instalment of loan from banks to buy cattle for their project.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Culture varsity cracks the whip
Jayadeva Foundation told to hand over statues
Business quiz finals tomorrow
Paying Homage
Speed up NREGS works: Collector
Crow stays put!
Teachers plan protest on Sept. 5
Gastroenteritis: toll rises to 49 in Kasipur
Air grievances online
Mahanti still on the run
Businessmen cash in on Bol Bom sentiment
Rescued child labourers await succour

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu