Children's Day and Child Labor: A Picture in Contrast

The festive spirit in India has always held me in thrall. Talking of festivals that are a celebration of individuality, one cannot forget the Children's Day. I still remember my scholastic days when we were informed a week earlier about the programmes that will mark the Children's Day celebration in the school, and when even the most shy guy/girl in the class would raise hands to enter his/her name in various competitions. I shall always be thankful to late Ex-Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, whose love for children resulted in dedicating a special day- November 14, Nehru's birthday- for celebration of the spirit of childhood.

As we grow up, we tend to probe into the meanings of these special days. What I considered a day for celebration, has hence become a day of purpose – the underlying meaning of Children' Day. Is Children's Day really worth when millions of children in India toil in factories or beg in the streets and are forced to pick rags as usual to feed their stomach, even as their well-off counterparts partake of the festive spirit of Children's Day? This difference is indeed a blot on our economy. Development, as I see it, should encompass every section of the society. To quote the dismal figure, there are over 8.4 million child labors employed in different industries. Hardly aware that there is a special day for children, these kids dedicate this day to making their ends meet, some even by being engaged in hazardous jobs. This is indeed a pathetic plight, when there are laws screaming out that it is a serious offense to make children below 14 years work.

Chacha Nehru himself believed in providing children with a safe and loving environment, so that they can take great strides and contribute to the progress of the nation. No doubt there have some efforts on the part of the government to bring the underprivileged kids in the fold of various child development schemes like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid Day Meal and many more. However, their implementation has been marred by many socio-political (including red tapism) and economic factors. Again, there are various NGOs which organize different functions for the street kids and the school dropouts on Children's Day. But these are only patches in the whole scheme of development.

Why not use the Children's Day as a platform for awareness about the evils of child labor? Why not award those industries which do not employ child labor on Children's Day? These efforts might sound the “good only in paper” sorts, but yes a strong political will and yes, a more strong public will- from citizens like you and me - can surely go a long way to add a holistic meaning to the Children's Day. After all, children are the future of every nation.

Guru Nanak Jayanti: Let's Celebrate it in its True Essence

Guru Nanak was the first guru of the Sikhs. Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Guru Parab is celebrated on the full moon day of Kartika. It is all about celebrating the birth anniversary of a great saint like Guru Nanak, who will always be remembered as one of the greatest social reformers, preachers and saints. Although, I am not a Sikh, I always eagerly wait for this sacred festival. This is because, I simply love the prasad and food which are distributed through free lungers, all across the country, and even abroad. There are pandals at different places to organize free lungers and distribute prasad. Visiting a Gurudwara on this auspicious occasion is also very exciting. But, of late, I have started realizing that there is more to this festival than just eating at free lungers.

Guru Nanak taught mankind non-violence, love and unity. Are we following it? I don't think so. Today, there are communal riots, regionalism and hatred everywhere in India. On one hand, there are some politically motivated groups who are destroying church and humiliating nuns. On the other hand, in Maharashtra, a handful of people are on roads protesting against the North Indians, who have gone their to earn their bread. Is this a country that Guru Nanak dreamt of? Whether you are a Sikh or not, you need to think deeply about all that Guru Nanak has taught us. He was a saint who tried to bring harmony among all religions. Not only this, he traveled to different places all over India and preached humanity, unity, and also liberalized many social practices for the betterment of common people. In spite of all this, today he is only remembered on his birthday. His teachings have not found a place in our day to day life. This is reason why we are witnessing so much of hatred, violence and greediness for power in today's time.

According to me, today, on this auspicious occasion, we should take a pledge to follow what Guru Nanak taught us. We should live with peace and love. We should respect one another and try to make the world a better place to live. This would be the celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti in its true essence.