Issue : 51

Price : Rs. 2-00

June-July, 2015

BALAKNAMA
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Street And Working Children Of Badhte Kadam
Gave Suggestions For Law Policies And Schemes
y the way law policies
and schemes for
children are made
every year but all those
remain restricted to papers only
leaving behind the ground
reality. The reason for this is
that these policies and schemes
do not reach those children who
need them. And our policy
makers free themselves from
the responsibility towards
children after making them.
The thing to worry for us is that
those children who are living
alone on roads and pedestrian
pathways they do not have any
law facilities and no such
policy is being made for such
children.
A meeting was organized
by Badhte Kadam keeping all
these points in mind. During
this meeting keeping their
views on law policies and
needs, 15 years old Chandan
said that there are many
children who have to work to
c a r r y o n t h e i r h o m e s
expenditures as their parents
are either aged or are physically
handicapped. Due to this
children have to take care of
their parents also along with
their work. So I want that
government should make such
law or provision which can
provide financial support to
families of these children.
There should be proper growth
of these children and
responsibility should be taken
for their bright future.

15 years old Shambhu

says that we should increase the
skills of street and working
children. Government has
provided the facility of
vocational training for children
but only those children get
opportunity that have passed
10th and 12th class in those
vocational training. Due to this
many children who are living
on streets are left behind. This
is a very sad state that we do not
get such opportunities due to
lack of education. I want that
government should provide
vocational training to those
children also who have not
passed 10th but wants to learn
something.
15 years old Dheeraj said
that government have still not
got made any special night
centres for those children who
do intoxication where they can
get all facilities. I want that
special night centres should be
constructed for such children
where various programs can be
organized for their safety and
reformation.
15 years old Chandni said
that has our government ever
thought that why and how
children come to roads.
Because parents of majority of
children in them do not have
home, they do not have
employment. They work here
and there to fill stomach of their
children and start living on
pedestrian pathways and night
shelters. We children want that

Advisor Of Badhte Kadam Got Invitation From London

Will Keep Opinion Of Children In International Meeting

Friends, it is a pleasure for all street and
working children of Badhte Kadam that Vijay
Kumar, advisor of the organization has got an
invitation to participate in a meeting organized
for street and working children in London.
This meeting is organized on
international level on what law policies and
schemes should be there for street and
working children.
On behalf of Badhte Kadam
organization advisor Vijay Kumar will present the suggestions
and views of members on law policies and programs in this
meeting.

to keep children away from this

problem government should
provide employment to the
parents for development of
their children and to improve
their future so that they do not
let their children work.
13 years old Abhishek
said that those children who are
orphan and are living with their
relatives, they do not want to go
to centre home leaving them so
government should make such
law or provision that these
children get financial support
there only and responsibility
should be taken regarding their
education. So that children do
not have to work to live their
life.
16 years old Poonam said
that a new law which our
government has made in year
2015 that a 14 years old child
can do work provided they
study for half day. But if
parents of any children do not
let their children study and they
are making them work by
taking advantage of this law. So
such children will get exploited
completely. In such situation
who will take responsibility of
that child. I want that
government should make such
law for our safety by which
complete responsibility should
be taken for childs ward ship
and education and nobody
takes advantage of that law.
16 years old Aakash said
that till now nobody knows

Gave Suggestions Of Schemes Like Running Schools And Vocational Institutes

Delhis Chief Minister Mr. Arvind
Kejriwal had asked for suggestions from Delhi
residents in making budget. Badhte Kadam
the organization of street and working children
which is maintained by social institution
CHETNA. Members of this organization called
a meeting to discuss about the budget for street

and working children. In this meeting, members

after discussing with each other made a budget of
Rs 45 Crores in order to give suggestion to the
Delhi Government and sent a message to Chief
Minister Mr.Arvind Kejriwal through fax.
Continued on pg.2

how much the population of

street and working children is,
so I want to appeal to the
government that it should be
taken in modus operandi of
government that there should
be one different team for street
and working children in which
survey for street and working
children should be done and we
should also be counted. So that
government can make law or
scheme according to street and
working children and can apply
them.
-Shanno (19 years)

Contact Address:
BADHTE KADAM
31, Basement,
Gautam Nagar
New Delhi -110049
(INDIA)
Phone: 011-41644470
balaknamaeditor@gmail.com

EDITORIAL
Dear Friends,
We are again present here
among you all with our
newspaper. Friends, as you all
know every time we try to
present the important issues and
information related to street and
working children amongst you.
This time also we have tried to
talk about the law policies and
schemes related to street and
working children like- Juvenile
Justice Act, Child Marriage or
Child Labor Prohibition Act,
Right to Education, POCSO,
etc. We got to know about their
views and tried to understand
why these law policies and
schemes are not reachable to
them.
Along with this you will
happy to know that members of
Badhte Kadam are trying to
make children aware to go to
school those who stay and work
in communities, slums, stations
and pedestrian pathways.
This way our Balaknama
is published with lot of
problems and information
related to street and working
children. We wish that as
always you will like this
edition.
For last six months we
are sending this newspaper to
different Embassies.
If you want to share any
experience or suggestion
related to this newspaper then
you can give us your valuable
feedback at the given address
above.
-Editorial Team

Dialogue Between Parrot And Mynah

Is This The Definition Of Child Labor?
Parrot & Mynah

Parrot: Flying- flying

comes and sits on branch of a tree
and says to Mynah so what the
news is?
Mynah: I am not getting
what news to tell you?
P a r r o t : W h y. . W h a t
happened Mynah? U seems to be
very upset..
Mynah: Yes Parrot.. Thing
is like that only that I am very
upset.
Parrot: Tell me what exactly
is the issue..?
Mynah: You know what
Parrot.. Government has given
the permission that any child of
14 years of age can do any kind of
work and according to law if any
child who is doing child labor or
the child is forced to do child
labor then there would be no

legal process against that

person.. That means now any
child of 14 years of age can be
forced to work without any
fear
Parrot: But Mynah.. How
can the government do this..
Indian government has itself
recognized United Nation
Convention of Child Rights
(UNCRC) in 1989, according
to which child interest is the
foremost thing. If any child of
14 years of age works then that
will not be good for him..
Mynah: Yes Parrot.. and
when there was already so
strict law then only children
were made to work so much
due to which number of child
laborers have increased so if
there would not be any legal
interference then so many
children will have to become
victim of Child labor and
bonded labor.
Parrot: Yes Mynah.. But
have you talked about this with
child members of Badhte
Kadam, what is their view on
this?
Mynah: No Parrot.. But
Continued on pg.2

Street And Working Children

Collected Rs. 8000/- For Nepal Victims

ne more time children of

Badhte Kadam (Street and
Wo r k i n g c h i l d r e n s
organization) working in Delhi
unified together and collected money for
victims of Nepal earthquake. Members of
organization travelled in Lajpat Nagar and
Sarojini Nagars market and collected
money from children and passers-by. Child
members collected Rs8000/- and they
deposited this money in Prime Ministers
Relief Fund for children victimized by
Nepal earthquake. People were amazed by
seeing their spiritedness and they also came
forward to boost their morale.
14 years old rag picker Shama (name
changed) donated Rs 10/- from her daily
wages. She said that she knows that
earthquake came.
17 years old Chandni, National
Secretary of Organization said that this is
surprising that people living on streets are

more helpful rather than high profile

people because children living on
roads were seen more associated
with the cause rather than the
shopkeepers.
10 years old Usmana (name
changed) who sells tea giving Rs5/said I have many members from
Nepal. They come in the morning to
wash car. She told that she had heard
about Nepal from them.
16 years old Shambhu, Reporter of
Balaknama said that we will collect more
money and will deposit amount of upto Rs
10,000/- to Prime Minister Relief fund.
Chandni said earlier also we have done
the same thing. We collected and deposited
Rs 50,000/- for Jammu Kashmir flood
victims by selling our paintings and Rs
20,000/- for Uttarakhand flood victims to
Prime Minister Relief Fund.
This effort of children is very
inspirational. We have been specially
associated with Nepal and many children
come here through trafficking during these
natural disasters. We residents of Delhi
should take inspiration from these children
and should support them in this with open
heart.- Said Mr. Sanjay Gupta, Director of
CHETNA.
-Shambhu (16 years)

Facing Problems And Lack Of Safety

There are many such towns and
colonies in West Delhi where people stay
in slums and there are many places where
people live on rail tracks. Number of
people staying these areas is very large.
Homes are made near the rail tracks and
they live with their full family there and
go to work at nearby places.
Financial condition of these people
is not good. So in their houses small
children also go to work with elders.
Areas where these children especially
girls go to work are bad in terms of safety
point of view.
These girls when leave from their
home then they always have this fear in
their mind that somebody does not do
any bad deed with them. Not only this we
keep on hearing every day that this girl is
kidnapped today or that girl was raped.
When member of Badhte Kadam
spoke to the girls living there why they
do not go to school to study or study after
getting admission so they say that our
Parents stop us from studying because
when we go out to work then boys
staying in our society tease us and say
vulgar things on seeing us. So our
Parents say that we go to work with them
only so that we can earn some money.
When members of Badhte Kadam

Children Becoming Victims Of Child Labor

Innocent children have to do as risky work as
dangerous and ghastly Child labor is in hearing.
Lakhs of child laborers work in every corner of our
country. This is known to educated people as well
but still people force children to work.
A support group meeting was organized by
Badhte Kadam in South and West Delhi and child
partners talked about child labor in this support
meeting. 12 years old Chandan, child partner
present in the meeting told that so many children are
made to work by luring them for few amount of
money nearby my place.
One side it has been 69 years our country got its
independence and on the other side today also
children are entrapped in bonded labor and other
dangerous work. Child partners said that our
Government every day makes new laws and new
schemes but why their benefits do not reach us.
Delhi is the Capital of our country but you will get

Continued from pg.1

BALAKNAMA

WEST DELHI

children in
working there in
very high number.
This way children
rights are getting
abused.
Understandin
g the gravity of
this issue child,
when 15 years old
Rosy child reporter of Balaknama newspaper did
survey on child laborers then she found out that
more than 150 children between the age of 12 to 16
years were found working in the shops and
restaurants near stations itself.
Balaknamas reporter Ajay told that these
children have to work a lot in these restaurants and
apart from washing utensils, cleaning they have to
fill drum with water from big container from far off

Parrot & Mynah

let us go and meet them to know their views.

(Parrot and Mynah fly and reach to child members of Badhte Kadam and
talk to them)
Parrot: Chandni Sister do you know that government has upheld that
work done by 14 years old children is right and said that any child of 14 years
old can work..
Chandni: Yes parrot. Whatever this is being done for children is not at
all right for us. In this those parents, businessmen and shopkeepers who force
children to work they will get more power and now they will get their work
done easily from children in less money without any fear.
Mynah: Yes Parrot.. Chandni sister is absolutely right.. by this street and
working children will have to face many difficulties.. Let us know Vikas
brothers view also on this.
Vikas: Mynah this is very wrong happening with us.. Already
government does not do anything good for us and whatever is in our interest
that also they want to snatch from us.. if 14 years is the age done for child
labourers then what we will do.
Parrot: Jyoti sister also told us that age for child labourer should be
between 16 to 18 years because after 18 years of age only we come to know
what is right and wrong for us.. but if age is reduced down to 14 years old then
our life would be burdened under the load of work and it will be loss for us
only not for the government.
Mynah: Whatever Jyoti sister has said is all correct that reduction of age
for child laborers will lead our life in danger.
Mynah: Yes parrot.. in the proposed act the reduction of age to 14 years
will not be legitimate because this will result in increase of child laborers. In
this situation children will be sent to work rather than to school and they will
have spade in their hands instead of pen. Whatever government is doing with
these children it is not right and this way future of country can come in danger.
Saying this much news experts Parrot and Mynah fly in search of other
news.

spoke to the people living there about

this they refused to talk about this and
said there is no strict action taken against
those people who do these indecent and
abominable crimes with girls so that
these people do not do such things in
society.
Girls staying there said if we will
keep avoiding such issues then these
people will keep on doing such crimes.
We want that we are provided safety so
that we are given respect and can move
freely in our society.
We want that we should have police
officers in our colonies, slums so that we
can be safe. We should not face any
difficulty in going here and there. We
girls are not able to complete our studies
due to this fear. Till the time we are in
class fifth and seventh we are allowed to
study by our Parents but the moment we
enter in 14 years or 15 years of age we are
made to stop our studies.
This way we are not able to study.
Our Parents ask us to do work or we are
married off. Tehre are so many girls like
this who are not able to complete their
studies and start working due to the lack
of fear.
-Chandni (15 years)

places. As these restaurants are at such places where

there is no arrangement of water tanks or taps and if
there is any arrangement then that is too far off from
where the children have to carry water and have to
fill the drum of restaurant when it gets empty due to
which children have to suffer a lot.
Children have to do this work out of
helplessness because if they will not work then what
they will eat. After this, 15 years old Rosy, District
Chairman of Badhte Kadam said that we children
are deprived of our rights due to non-compliance of
law by our government.
We all have to take a hard step on this issue
because this could be a small issue for common
people but for us this is a serious issue. So from time
to time we should keep making people aware
through various programs and acts with the help of
the organization, so that we can tell citizens of
society that we are future of country, give us copy
and pen. Help us and do not force children to work
rather give us opportunity to move ahead.
-Chandni (15 years)

Continued from pg.1 Gave suggestions of schemes like running schools and vocational institutes
Members of organization included
following issues and suggestions to the budget
of street and working children through this
letter: A team should be constituted in order
to count the population of street and working
children and to know about their situation in 11
districts of Delhi. So that after taking the stock
of whole situation, better future schemes can
be made. The expenditure of this will be
approximate Rs 1 Crore.
There should be arrangement of
approximate 100 shelter homes for street and
working children of Delhi in which around 50
to 100 children can stay in each shelter home.
In this monthly expenditure of each child will
be Rs.3000/-. This way expenditure for shelter
home will be Rs. 36 Crores.
There should be four vocational
institutes for street and working children in
which each institute should give training
according to the interest of 100 children. In
this monthly expenditure for a child (above
17years) will be Rs. 3000/- each. This way
expenditure for four vocational institutes will
be Rs 4 crores 44 lakhs.
A team of two police women or
counselors should be constituted in around 20
police stations of Delhi for girls living on
streets for which the budget would be Rs

1crores.
Two doctors and four beds should
be ensured for street and working children in
around 10 hospitals of Delhi for which the
budget would be Rs 4 crores.
10 running schools should be
started for study of homeless children which
should be operated by members of voluntary
organizations along with education
department and DTC bus should also be
included in this. Monthly expenditure would
be Rs 1 lakh for each running school and total
budget would be around Rs.1 crore 20 lakhs.
National Secretary of Badhte Kadam
Chandni said that we all members have made
this budget after intensive discussions and
we hope that Chief Minister will take this
budget seriously and will take a prompt
action on it.
Mr. Sanjay Gupta, Director of
CHETNA and facilitator of Badhte Kadam
told that is a very good effort done by child
members. According to me the issues and
suggestions which these child members have
included in this budget are very important to
include them in the street and working
childrens budget and Delhis Chief Minister
should certainly include them in the budget.
-Chandni (17 years)

BALAKNAMA

SOUTH DELHI

Got Separated But Did Not Lose Courage

15

years old Kumkum used to live with her family

in the village. Kumkum has three sisters. Her
father was a laborer and they were very happy
in the village. But some years back kumkums mother
left them. Since that time people living in village taunts
them that their mother left them because she was Hindu
and her father was a Muslim. Due to this only people
give them false looks and used to say good bad things
about them. Kumkums father left his work after her
mother left and started drinking liquor. Then after few
days they came to Nizammudin railway station in Delhi
and started living there.
After coming here kumkum started picking up rags

so that she is can take care of her three sisters. Because

her father used to drink here and there and did not even
work so that he can take care of his children. Due to this
problem she started staying in Kalkaji Temple. Since the
time her mother has left her life has been full of sorrows.
Alone she takes care of her three sisters and manages
their expenditures. After going through so many
troubles also Kumkum has done so many heroic works
which are very praiseworthy.
Kumkum not only loves her but love others
children also and help them. When 15 years old child
reporter of Badhte Kadam Jyoti met Kumkum and came
to know about her and she told that she lives behind
Kalkaji Temple. There is a very deep pothole of water
and it has become deep marshy due to pothole. She told
that she has saved two children till now from drowning
in that pothole. First time kumkum saved life 12 years
old Priyanka and when asked kumkum how she fell into
that so she told on asking that priyanka came here with
her friends and while playing with them and as her foot
slipped she suddenly fell into the pothole of water. As
she fell into the water kumkum reached there listening
to her screams and took her out of the pothole. This way
priyankas life was saved.
After few months 10 years old Arjun also fell into
that water and his life was also saved by Kumkum. She
loves children very much and she cannot see children in
any trouble because she has endured pain since her
childhood. So kumkum want that no other child suffers
and she wants to see all children happy.
-Jyoti (15 years)

Children Got Involved In Youths

Voice Against Child Marriage
Terence Lewis told every child and adult that everyone
has a facebook account these days so those people who
have account on facebook join us and help in removing
the thought of child marriage from mind of people. So
that children living in society can be safe. Apart from this
he also gave information regarding diseases like HIV and
asked everyone to join us in this new beginning to tackle
this problem and mail us on facebook then only our India
can remain healthy.
After this all members of Badhte Kadam got their
photograph clicked with Mr. Terence Lewis and gifted
them a painting made from their own hands. All child
members were very happy after meeting him.
-Jyoti (15 years)
A program was organized by Hot Dance for Life
Institution in Delhi on 15th May. Topic of this program
was Not So Young. This program was based on child
marriage. Child members of Badhte Kadam and members
of many more institutions and organizations took part in
this program.
Chief Guest of this program was Mr. Terence Lewis.
He boosted morale of children by coming in their
program and involving with them. All child members
present in this program made guests familiar about the
safety of girls and problems faced by them in our society
through the medium of plays and dance based on child
marriage. Mr. Terence Lewis was greatly influenced by
seeing all this. He said that how courageously these small
children are putting up their things and problems through
different mediums in front of us and are giving us
information.
Mr. Terence Lewis was reminded of his childhood by
the presentation of these child members. He said that he
also used to dance like this when he was small and said
that he was very happy after seeing the enthusiasm of
children. Who so ever institution who is working for these
children are doing great job and are providing
opportunity to these children to come forward.
He said that children are exploited and tortured in our
cities and villages. Mr. Terence Lewis discussed about
these issues with children and gave information regarding
many important aspects. He told that child marriages are
taking place in majority of villages in which boys and
girls of less than 18 years are married off. While the
suitable age for a boy and girl to get married is 21 years
and 18 years respectively.
But there are many people in our society who are still
associated with their old practices and get their children
married in low age. But they do not know that their
children have to face so many problems after this
marriage.
To prevent this child marriage from our society, Mr.

3
Children Got Shelters With The Help
Of Badhte Kadam Organization
14 year old
Rustam (name
changed) is member
of Badhte Kadam.
He lives in night
shelter and do work
of picking rags. One
day after picking
rags Rustam was
going back to have
food. When Rustam
was returning he
saw three small
children on railway
station, he went to
those children and
asked them from
where they came to
this railway station
so they told that they have come from Bihar.
After knowing this Rustam asked them what are they
doing on station? So those children said where do we go
where do we live so we came to the station. After this
Rustam took them to night shelter and introduced them to
15 years old Balaknamas reporter, Jyoti. Then Jyoti
spoke to all those three children and asked them why they
came to Delhi from their home.
Children told that they have come from Bihar and
they do not want to return back to their home in Bihar.
Hearing this Jyoti asked them why they left their home.
What is the reason of leaving home? Then children said
that their parents beat them up. Because of this reason we
have came here in Delhi after running away from our
home so that we are not able to go back home.
After listening to all this Jyoti took them to the centre
and introduced them to activists of CHETNA institution.
Then they also spoke to these children. They asked them
if they want to go to their home or they want to go to
shelter. So they refused to go to their home and said they
want to go to shelter home where nobody beats them and
talk to them properly, understands them, take care of
them.
Activist told children if you want to go to shelter
home you will be dropped at home. You will be able to
live there properly, study properly and you will learn
good habits. After giving information to children about
home they were dropped to the shelter home.
Activist thanked member of Badhte Kadam, Jyoti
and Rustam because they both saved the lives of these
three children from life of station and helped them to
reach a good place like shelter home where they will be
looked after well and education will be provided to them.
-Jyoti (15 years)

Government Wants To See Children At Pedestrian

Path That Is Why Shelter Homes Are Built
You all know that this time Delhi summers have made it very difficult for
people to come out of their homes. And in this situation if light also goes then
getting relief is more difficult. People make arrangements of AC, Cooler, etc to
save themselves from this fierce heat so that they get some relief from the heat.
When this summer has made it difficult for people to come out of homes then
just think about those children who are living in shelter homes and roads, what
must be their conditions, how they would be living in such places.
16 year old Sourav, Balaknamas reporter went to meet children living in
these shelter homes to know about the whole situation and he saw that children
are living outside of these shelter homes. When Sourav asked them why are
they outside of shelter home then they told that it becomes very hot when mid
day sun comes over their shelter. They told that shelter homes are made up of
tin sheets and these tin sheets get so heated up after this heat that shelter homes
shower heat in large amount. In this situation not only children but their parents also live outside shelter. Children
situation is getting worse in these summers. They say that from the time AAP government has come into power
nothing has been done for children, are we not included into the list of common man.
Our government might have built shelter homes so that people and children living outside can get a place to live
and they can be away from roads. So that they do not live under any flyover or near railway stations and they can
remain away from this type of life. Because of this government has provided the facility of shelter homes.
But we children think that if government wanted us to remove from pedestrian pathways and roads then they
would not have built shelter homes near about pedestrian pathways or roads. But in reality they also want to see us
living on pedestrian pathways like other people want us to, that is why government has built shelter homes near
pedestrian pathways and roads. If our government would have heartedly wanted then they would have thought for
us and would have made arrangement for homes like they do for common man. But it is not like that; government
does not want that we live a better life like common people live. Government has ever thought what kind of
problems we girls have to face in these shelter homes.
Majority of shelter homes are built near pedestrian pathways and roads and many incidents keep on happening
due to this reason. Sometimes that place turns into accident site for us and sometimes lack of safety is seen at these
places for girls. Children say that there are no facilities in shelter homes, if there would have been any security
arrangements for girls they would have been kept safely there.
After seeing all this and listening to things reporter Sourav said that if seriously government is working for
children then instead of building shelter homes for children they should give us life of a common man and provide us
all the facilities of home. Then only we all children will be happy with our parents and will be able to live safely.
-Sourav (16years)

NOIDA

BALAKNAMA

CHILD REACHED HIS HOME

AFTER GETTING FREEDOM
FROM CHILD LABOR ON
started by 6 children who used to drink OCCASION OF CHILD LABOR DAY
here are many such
and their names are- 10 years old
children near Noida
17 years old Bablu lives in Bihar. He
Lokesh, 13 years old Vikas, 12 years
Sector-66 contact point
old Rohan, 12 years old karan, 13 years came to Delhi and a contractor kept him
who get drunk and do gambling there.
old Aakash and 12 years old Arjun. to work with him. Bablu started digging
Due to this they do not even go to
These child partners used to do gamble potholes in earth and putting electricity
school to study as they have got
earlier but now these child partners cables in them at contractors place.
addicted to gambling. These children
have left their habit on starting this Contractor kept him on Rs 350/- wage for
do gamble there the whole day.
chain and have stopped themselves this work and it has already been three
People who stay here play
months for him working there. But his
from moving towards that evil.
gamble and along with them children
Now these child partners are contractor had not given him his wages of
also play. Bad influence occurs on
giving instructions to other children so last three months as the contractor used to
other children also due to gambling.
that they also improve themselves and keep it with him.
There is no one to stop this fast going
One day Bablus parents called him
take step towards better thing by
gambling here.
joining this chain. This way some up and his parents told him that their
No parent is able to do anything
children explained adults also not to house has fallen down due to massive
to keep away their children from this
gambling in this meeting so that children
play gamble with children and after earthquake in Bihar and her mother has
gambling. But child members of
joining this chain rather stop them from fallen ill due to this disaster so they need
Badhte Kadam organized a meeting on can come out of its grip.
12 yeard old Rohan said we playing this and stop themselves also money. After hearing this Bablu was
this problem in which those children
totally broken and he went to his
participate who get drunk and do children want to leave gambling. So we from playing this.
thought to make a chain of those
During this many members contractor and told him that he need
gambling.
money urgently as his house has fallen
District Secretary Sourav also took children who want to leave gambling stopped their fathers and brothers from down due to earthquake and his mother is
part in this meeting and asked the and those child members will keep on playing gambling and many child too ill. So I want you to give me last three
children on what topic they are going to joining this chain who wants to leave partners have come forward to join this months money so that I can help my
chain to make this effort possible.
discuss in this meeting. 10 years old intoxication and gambling.
This way we will be able to involve
-Sourav (16 years) family.
Lokesh told that we are going to discuss
But his contractor refused and said
about issues of intoxication and other children also. This chain was first
that I will not give you the money. After
hearing this Bablu asked him why he will
not give money to him. So his contractor
said that he will give money to that
person from whom you were hired. Then
15 years old Neekhat used to study earlier in a
All students came on seeing all this and stood with Bablu told that that person is in Bihar and
government school. Neekhats school was very far off away Neekhat. Students told that whatever Neekhat is saying is all not here. Still his contractor totally
from her home. Still she used to go to her school every day. true. From today onwards we will also not eat this food. refused to give him the money. Bablu told
But Neekhat used to come back to her home in afternoon to Seeing this class teacher got scared. And then teacher him his trouble also then also his
have lunch and used to go back after having lunch. She used stopped beating Neekhat and said that what can be done you contractor did not give his money and
sent him from there.
to do this every day.
have to eat afternoons lunch.
Bablu did not even have sufficient
One day Neekhats teacher caught her while she was
Neekhat answered that if food is prepared in our own
amount so that he can fill his stomach and
going to her home and started saying where she goes every school then we all will eat. Schools teacher told Neekhat you can go somewhere to live there because
day in afternoon during lunch time so Neekhat told her that are speaking too much. Nobody will come here to prepare he had nobody of his in Delhi. He was
she go to her home to have lunch. Hearing this only her food so you will prepare the food for everyone. Neekhat said totally all alone. Then Bablu met with 16
teacher started shouting on her and started saying you do not that we will bring somebody to prepare food on our own. We years old National Secretary, Chandni.
get lunch here in school that you go to your home to have students will explain him and will help him also.
Bablu told Chandni about him and also
After this teacher said that she wants the one who will about his contractor and told that he
lunch leaving your school.
Neekhat told her teacher that Maam we get food here prepare the food for students tomorrow itself. From that day wanted to go home in Bihar. But my
but who will eat this kind of food in which every day insects itself by doing survey Neekhat searched two ladies who will contractor is not giving me money for my
are found and because of eating this food only children are prepare food for students in school itself. All students work so Chandni went to his contractor
getting ill. When Neekhat told her teacher that Maam you became very happy seeing this and now they are getting along with him. But his contractor was
already know about this that insects are found every day in good, clean and very tasty food to eat. Now nobody goes not present at his home.
Chandni spoke with his son. She
the food which comes for us so hearing this much only back to their home from school to eat food and every one eats
asked him to give Bablus money.
Neekhats teacher overpowered her and started scolding and to the fullest.
-Chandni (16years) Contractors son also refused to give his
beating her in front of everyone.
money back and started scolding Bablu.
After this Chandni took Bablu to police
station and gave information about this to
police and they asked us to call them
when contractor comes. Then Bablu
called the contractor on phone but he
refused to give Bablu his money and told
Street and working children living in Noidas sector-50
him to call whomsoever.
and sector-66 do the work of picking junk and spend their life
In a short while contractors phone
by doing hardwork. No child goes to school here and nobody
came. He told Bablu to come to him and
ever motivates them to study. When activists of CHETNA
take his money but asked him to come
and Badhte Kadam organization got to know about this so
alone. After this the place where his
they went there and spoke with people living there. After that
contractor called Bablu, he took Police
with their mutual consent contact point at sector-50 and
there along with him. Then police took
sector-66 was started by the institution.
him to police station after arresting him.
Organization started motivating child partners living
After going there what he talked with
there to come to study at contact point. Members of
police that they closed his case and left
organization gave information about Badhte Kadam and its
him. Police told us that we do not handle
working to all child partners and the people residing there.
such cases and go somewhere else. Then
They told that government has also given us four rights in
we called Child Line and Child Line
which one right is get education. Child partners started
people came and took Bablu along with
coming to the contact point to study after getting influenced
them as it was already too late in the
by their words.
night. Then next morning child line
Activists of CHETNA institute started giving
people took Bablu to Police station. They
information to the people living there through Parents
registered an F.I.R there and contractor
meeting and Stake holders meeting and started making them
was called. When contractor was asked to
aware about the importance of education. Due to its result who used to come to contact point go to school now.
give Bablu his money he gave him Rs
They participate in various activities organized by 14,000/-.
only all child partners have got admission in school in sector50 and sector-66 and those children have started going to organization. Now children are very happy to see this change
Members of Child Line explained
in their parents. Shri Ram said that he will feel very happy the contractor not to keep any such child
school every day.
After seeing this work people living there requested the when his son will wear school dress. I want that he studies on work and do not trouble him. This way
activists to get their children also admitted in the school. very much and become a good human being on growing up.
Bablu got his money and he became very
Dulari says that my mother is very happy on my going to happy after getting money of his hard
After this activists got their children admitted in local school
there. This way 22 street and working children got school. She says that now my children will not be uneducated work. Then Child Line people dropped
him to his place in Bihar.
opportunity to get educated by the efforts of CHETNA like her.
-Chandni (16 years)
-Sourav (16 years)
institution and Badhte Kadam organization. Those children

Members Of Badhte Kadam Started A Campaign Against Gambling

School Girls Opposition Made The Teacher To Realize Her Fault

22 Street And Working Children Reached Government School

BALAKNAMA

MATHURA

Children became happy after meeting S.H.O

ll children became very happy after Mr.

Pankaj Lavania S.H.O of Mathura Junction
Railway Station reached harm reduction
centre to meet children. Other staff members of GRP
and press reporters were also present there with S.H.O
Mr. Pankaj Lavania. S.H.O talked to all children and

asked them about their problems during his visit.

During discussion he asked children about which
place do they belong to and what was the reason due to
which you left your home and started living at station
and what do you do while staying here?
Children told that due to bad financial condition
and without the support of parents they have to stay at
station. While staying here they sell water bottles,
tobacco, cigarettes, pan masala, picks junk, clean
trains, do begging, etc. Hearing this S.H.O. Mr.
Pankaj Lavania said this all is crime so you all stop
doing this. He said that children who want to go back
to their home, we will help them to go to their home.
Those children who do not want to go back to their
home will be sent to Shelter Home or shelter home
will be opened where children can sleep at night and
can stay away from stations life.
After this they asked children what you all do
after coming to this centre. Children told that after
coming to the centre in morning we wash our hands
and feet and then we pray and do yoga. After this we
study and make things of art and craft. After this we
are given food here. We play games here. We dance
and participate in various activities. In this centre our

Children living at station got their bank accounts opened

Four children living at Mathura station got their bank
account opened in State Bank of India at zero balance
according to the Jan Dhan Yojana Scheme which is being
run by Government. These children wanted to get their
bank account opened from quite many days but they
were not able to get their bank account opened as they
did not have any identity card with them. They had
already gone to the bank many times and had spoken to
the manager also to open their account in their bank, but
they had to return back every time in disappointment.
But first they got their Aadhar cards made with the
help of CHETNA institute by the Aadhar card camps
running according to the scheme run by Indian
Government. This way these children got their right to
identity and along with it they got their accounts opened
in the bank. Those children who got their bank accounts
opened they say that they earn Rs200 to Rs300/everyday but as there was no place to keep their money
so they either had to spend their money or their money
got stolen.
Children are very happy after getting their bank

accounts opened
and they say that
now they will
save their money
and will get their
money deposited
in the account.
Mukesh and
Gopal says that
if our account
would have
opened earlier so we would have saved lot of money. Now
we have left intoxication also and we do not spend money
unnecessarily.
When children got to know that Mukesh, Gopal, Rinku
and Vakeel have got their bank accounts opened then they
also started asking for opening up their accounts in bank.
Then activists of CHETNA institute spoke to Bank
Manager, he said that we will arrange a camp in your centre
and you can get bank account opened for your all children.
-Pooja (16 years)

District President Gave Important Information To Child Partners

Childrens problems were discussed in Core

Committee meeting organized by Harm Reduction
Centre of Mathura Station of Badhte Kadam. Meeting
was operated by Pooja, District President of Badhte
Kadam. All child partners participated in this meeting
in which girls and boys both were included. They do
various types of intoxication at Mathura Railway
Station and work there only.
Pooja welcomed all child partners and told all child
partners present there that we organize this meeting so
that we can come to know about your problems and
we can remove them as soon as possible.
Pooja told children that if your contact point does
not have things for playing, do not have the facility of
first-Aid box, you people fight among yourselves and
you do not obey the elder brother sister of your contact

point then you can share these things in

this meeting.
While giving information about
Badhte Kadam to all children during
meeting, Pooja told them that their
organization is working for street and
working children and in achieving the
objectives of helping street and
working children to get recognition, to
help them in living respectful life and
their direct participation in
nongovernmental organizations. She
said that every child whenever gets
time should come to their contact point
and study there.
All child members should
participate in various activities
organized by their Harm Reduction
Centre so that they get other
information also apart from their studies.
During the meeting Kishan told that some people
ask us to beg, they beat those children very badly and
snatch their money also from them. One child member
also said that when she comes back from picking up rag
then some boys tease her and snatch her money. After
listening to everyone Pooja told them that if anybody
forces you to do anything then you can tell this to the
leader of organization or your brother and sister. Give
this information to them they will surely help you or
you can call Child Helpline Number 1098 to take help,
they work for children only. They work 24 hours a day
whether it is day or night they provide help to every
children after getting information.
-Pooja (16 years)

counseling is also
done. In the evening
we go from here.
S . H . O . M r.
Pankaj Lavania
became very happy
after meeting
children and
knowing about them
and said that I will
help children at my
level as much I can
and children will
also have to help us
in this.
Children told
that they also felt
very happy after meeting S.H.O and talking to him.
Golu told that we felt very happy sharing our
problems with those brothers of media who came with
them.
-Pooja (16 years)

Deepaks Life
Got Support
You all know
that population of
children living on
railway stations
are increasing day
by day. Children
have started
considering
stations as their
home. These
children have
started liking
stations life so
much that they do
not want to go
from here now.
These children
start working here
only.
Shocking thing
is that these
children live here
for one or the other reason, start working here, either they
come here out of their helplessness or some of these
children come to railway stations due to negligence of
their parents. Most of the children come to station
because they easily get living whereabouts here and they
get some food also to eat. This way they spend their life
on railway stations.
Because this kind of problem 15 years old Deepak
came to Mathura railway station and started working
here. Deepak started intoxication also here. When 14
years old Shabana and 15 years old Raziya, members of
Badhte Kadam came to know about him and asked him
how he came to the station. Then Deepak told that his
mothers name is Shaanti and his fathers name is
Bhawani. They belong to Jhansi and earlier he used to
live in Jhansi with his parents only. But some time back
his father left his mother. Then he came to Mathura
railway station with his mother. His mother became ill
after coming here so he started working on station for his
mothers medicines. But the sad thing is that his mother
died as her health deteriorated more. This way Deepak
became alone and he started picking junk at the station
through which he spends his life.
After knowing all this Shabana and Raziya took
Deepak to Harm Reduction Centre run by CHETNA and
introduced him to all children studying there so that he
does not feel alone and get mixed up with children so that
he is saved from bad habits.
Deepak said that he did intoxication earlier and felt he
was alone. But since the time he has joined Badhte
Kadam he has left intoxication. Now he goes to the centre
every day to study and his Aadhar card was also made
along with it through which he has got opened his bank
account. Now Deepak has his friends also with whom he
spends his time. Now Deepak does not feel lonely and
Deepak is now very happy.
-Pooja (16 years)

BALAKNAMA

AGARA

219 Children Got Admission In Government Schools

adhte Kadam is an organization of street and

working children. This organization with the
help of CHETNA is working for street and
working children at various places since last
many years and through this organization many children
are made aware of education. Many members associated
with this organization have given the information to
children and their parents in their respective areas
regarding the importance of education and are motivating
the children to go to school.
Many children have made up their mind towards
education by efforts of this organization. These children
have explained their parents as well after getting aware
about the importance of education so that they send their
children to school and get them educated.
Street and working children living in filthy slums of
Agra city who does various work like making shoes,
brushes, brooms or picking rags, etc. In this work
participation of boys and girls is equal.
These children work the whole day being away from
education and manage their household expenses. In this
everyday life Parents of these children do not talk to them
that how these children should move ahead leaving this
life behind and how do they get associated with

education.
Seeing this apathy towards education, various
activities were organized to associate children with
education by Badhte Kadam organization by which
working children get to know about the importance of
education. This way those children who never wanted to
take admission in school they showed their eagerness
towards education and those children have become ready

Children Becoming Victims Of Teachers Tyranny

My name is Aman. I am 14 years old. I live in Agra
with my parents. I study in class 8th. My schools name
is Primary Girls School (name changed). We are not
taught properly in this school and the mid day meal
which is given by the government is also not made on
time.
Teacher of this school abuse us badly. They also
misbehave with our Parents and when we take our book
to teacher and they throw our book if there is any fault in
it. One day when we went to B.S.A office to complain
against Smt. Munni Devi then Maam did not allow us
to talk to B.S.A sir and sent a person to beat us. Out of
fear we went back to our school.
After this teacher got to know that we tried to
complain against her in B.S.A office so she beat us but
we again went to B.S.A office to tell the problem of our
school.
B.S.A sir told that they will send somebody till 2o
clock who will see to your problem and will find out

some solution and will discuss about this problem.

That day we waited till 2pm but nobody came from
B.S.A office who could find solution for our problems.
This way whole week went.
After one week when we reached our school, we
asked teacher what has been made in food today so she
abused us said you children eat forbidden food. That
teachers behavior is not at all good towards children.
She beat us every day with some or the other
reason and abuse us. Many a times she has blamed us
for stealing as well. One day we were playing after
having afternoons food then teacher called Rahul
inside and she beat him without any reason.
Rahuls one foot is defected but teacher did not
show any pity on him and hit the stick on the same foot
of Rahul very badly and as he moved behind to save
him his head got hit by Almirah but still Rahul did not
say anything to teacher.
Rahul called up District Chairman of Badhte

HOW DO I GET TREATMENT DONE OF MY RISING DISEASE?

My name is Bhawna. My age is 15

years old. I live in Jagdish pura. I do work
of putting chain in shoes. Financial
condition of my home is very bad. Due to
this reason I could not go to school. I have
5 brother and sisters at my home and my
father has died.
I am also the member of Badhte
kadam and I go to study at contact point
run by CHETNA. Along with this I
participate in various activities organized
by Badhte Kadam and I have taken part
three times in core committee meeting
also.
I work hard for my brother and
sisters. My familys situation is so bad
that my mother also works. One day I
went to my contact point to study and
suddenly pain started in my stomach then
sister of Badhte Kadam got me a tablet of
Rs2/- and I got relief after some time from

eating that tablet. During all this the

work which we used to do of putting
chain in shoes, that also get stopped
from last two three months. Our work of
shoes is also not going on. Due to this we
have started searching for new work.
But we have not got any work to do.
I used to think this only that like
this if we will not get any work
anywhere to do then we will not be able
to earn any money and what we will eat.
Our homes situation was getting so
worse that if we would not have got any
work then what would have happened?
Seeing this situation one aunt gave us
the work of making wraps of powder, by
which we get Rs50/- for making 5kg
wraps of powder. Then by that money
we take care of our households
expenditures.
But one day when I was working
with my mother my stomach again
started paining so my mother got scared
and immediately she lent some money
from neighbors and took me to doctor,
then doctor told that I have a node in
corner of my waist. Doctor gave me
some injections and some medicines.
Since the time I have got this
disease I always have pain in my waist. I
feel uneasiness due to this. I keep
thinking now that we will manage house
expenditure or we will get my treatment
done from Rs50/-. Nobody will lend us
money now and if I will get my
treatment done from the money of
powder then my brother sister will also
not get anything to eat. How my mother
will get my treatment done and take care
of home as well in this small amount.
-Poonam (16years)

to take admission in school.

This way 300 street and working children of around
12 slums like Rajnagar, Jagdishpura. Prithivi nath,
Aazam Pada, Laal Diggi, Gautam nagar, Marwadi, Indra
nagar, Abbas nagar, brooms slum, naya gher, chidda
nagla etc got admission in government schools with the
help of Badhte Kadam and CHETNAinstitute.
Children became very happy after getting admission
in schools. Child partner Dinesh living in Jagdish pura
said that he never saw school from inside but Poonam
sister, District Chairman of Badhte Kadam and brothers
sisters of CHETNA told our parents about the importance
of education. Today because of their efforts only we have
got entry into the schools. Now I go to school every day.
Now I am very happy after getting admission in school.
Girl named Gudiya from Naya gher told that earlier
she used to waste her time by roaming here and there. But
one day Poonam sister came to me and she told me Badhte
kadam organization and after that I became its member.
Then slowly I and my parents came to know about
education, then only my parents came to know about the
importance of education and after Poonam sisters efforts
I got to know about my rights and got my admission in
school. Now I am very happy.
-Poonam (16 years)

Kadam, Poonam and told all these problems of

school. We called Child Line with help of Poonam
and told them about schools problem. Member of
Child Line, Ritu sister came to our school after
listening to our problem.
We children told them that we have been
studying in junior class since last two years and
tolerating this teacher from last two years but now
we cannot tolerate her because her tyranny is
increasing day by day. She beat us every day.
Some children are new to this junior class and
now we will not let this misbehavior happen with
them. This teacher abuses us with bad language.
Now we cannot hear this. Children said that we come
from so far off places to study here, if something
happens to us who will be responsible.
After listening to all this Child lines Ritu sent a
letter to B.S.A Sir so that a solution can be found out
for the problem as soon as possible. But till now no
action has been taken regarding this problem.
-Poonam (16 years)

Member of Badhte Kadam got admission

of other child partners in school
13 years old Guddi who lives in
Marwari slum of Agra and does
work of hunter. She could not go to
school due to her homes bad
financial condition. But one day she
met member of Badhte Kadam.
Poonam, member of Badhte Kadam
told her that she can go to study at
contact point run by CHETNA
institute. Street and working
children get opportunity to study
there and move ahead in life. Along
with their help is also done and they
get an opportunity to present their
problems so that child can get
solution for any kind of problem.
After listening this Guddi
started going to contact point to
study after doing her work of hunter
and she became leader of that
contact point and started
participating in every meeting and
started solving childrens problems.
After one year Guddi got admission
in government school.
She started going to school
every day. Guddi loves to go to
school every day and she wants that
every child should get their
admission in school to study. So she
started motivating each child to
study and explain their parents so
that they get their children admitted
in school.
Those parents who stop their
children from going to school and
say what they will do after going to

school, Guddi go and explain those

parents that your children will get
good education in school and they
will go ahead by studying.
You get many benefits from
going to school. You get to wear
dress and one time food also to eat.
Along with this your children will
get lot of knowledge. This way
Guddi explained those parents who
did not use to send their children to
school. Guddis efforts paid and
now they have become ready to send
their children to school.
Guddi by her efforts has
explained parents of five children
till now and have made them ready
to send school and those five
children have got admission in
primary school, mahal across
Yamuna.
Guddi says that those five
children Deepali, Lucky, Suman,
Dolly, Rekha whom she has got
admitted in school, go to school
every day on time. I feel very happy
when I see those children going to
school. Now we all go to school
together. Deepali says thats he is
very happy on getting admission in
school and she said that earlier her
parents did not used to send them
school but Guddi, Leader of Badhte
Kadam explained our parents and
took them to our Primary School,
Mahal across Yamuna and got our
admission done in that.
-Poonam (16 years)

JHANSI

BALAKNAMA

Child Partners Took Responsibility Of Cleaning After

Getting No Help From Municipal Corporation

here is lot of garbage

present near the
contact point run by
CHETNA institution at
Govind crossing near Jhansi.
There is hell lot of stinking
smell there that it becomes
impossible for children to
study sitting there. Flies and
mosquitoes have made lives
of people difficult who live
there.
There is so much of
garbage there still people
living there keep on littering
the garbage here and there.
When it is the time for
children to study then first
they clean that place and then
sit to study. Children have
even appealed to the people
there seeing this daily routine
so that they do not litter
garbage at that place. Rather
than think something to keep

this place clean so that there is

no hindrance in the study of
child partners there. Child
partners appealed to the
people there that they all
should together ask M.C.D to
clean this place.
When our Balaknamas
reporter talked about this
topic with 14 years old Dinesh
then he told that we are very
disturbed by this heap of
garbage and due to this we are
not able to play here and
whenever there is a strong
breeze then bags of stinking
garbage come to our homes
because of which we face
problem in eating food also
and homes cleanliness get
converted into dirtiness.
After this 12 years old
Nisha said that we want that
this place should be cleaned
and alleviate our discomfort.

13 years old Rohit told that we

have complaint many times to
the cleaners and told them that
our place is very dirty and
there is lot of garbage but they
also did not pay any heed
towards us and did not get that
place cleaned.
Rohit told that municipal
corporation at Govind
Crossing also did not provide
us any facility. Along with us
other people also talked about
this to the authority but
nobody heard us. Children are
very disturbed by this garbage
and are tolerating this. Then
after getting tired we all child
partners decided to clean this
place by our ownselves. We
all have taken the
responsibility to clean this
place now.
All child partners along
with other children organized
a meeting to solve this
problem and discussion was
done on this topic in this
meeting. After this all child
partners started cleaning that
place with their own hands
and go to throw the garbage
keeping it on their head. This
way children are putting
efforts only to clean that place
as soon as possible so that they
can live in a cleaner place and
can play there and study there.
-Jaswant (15 years)

A GREAT LEARNING IN CHILDRENS MEETING

When 15 years old Jaswant,
District Secretary of Badhte Kadam
reached Gadhmau contact point of
Jhansi then gathered all children and
conducted a meeting with them. 12
years old Sonu who is the leader of
contact point welcomed everybody
during the meeting and told them that
today we all will discuss about our
problems and after discussion we will
discuss about the solutions for our
problems. After this all children told
about their problems and discussed on
them.
During discussion 12 years old
Sonu told that he works with his father.
Our area in Gadhmau is a mountainous
region. Water does not come in our taps due to this reason. Taps become dry. It is very difficult in this
fierce heat and sun. Due to this problem we children go to nearby pond to bath in this heat because we
have water problem here. So all children wash and clean them at pond itself.
Sometimes back 12 years old Radheshyam, Mithun and Sohna all three went to the pond to bath
because of unavailability of water and I also went along with them. The moment Radheshyam
entered in the pond he started moving towards deeper side. After bathing all child partners started
going towards their home wearing their clothes. But when we paid heed towards Radheshyam we
saw that he was bathing but he did not realize that he was getting engulfed in the depth of water. When
he realized that he was drowning in the water he started shouting and asked for help.
When we all heard screams of Radheshyam there was a clamor in whole colony that
Radheshyam is drowning then we went to see near the pond and he was really drowning in water.
Everybody was watching him getting drowned but nobody was doing anything to save him.
I jumped into water watching all this and started trying to take Radheshyam out of the pond.
After lot of efforts I took Radheshyam out of the pond and saved him. But this is a problem of
everyday here. That day I was with Radheshyam so I could save him but if nobody is there then child
who has gone for bathing will drown.
All children said on this topic that then what can be done to come out of this danger so that we
children do not go towards that pond. 12 years old Harshu said that if we do not go to bathe in that
pond and bathe by filling water at our homes only then seeing us rest of the children will also not go to
bathe in that pond and we will be able to save everyone from bathing in that pond. We ourselves will
have to take care, after that only we will be saved from this problem.
-Jaswant (15 years)

Dinesh Got Very Happy After

Getting Admission In School
13 years old Dinesh lives
with his parents in Govind
Crossings contact point of
Jhansi. He goes to pick up
junk also with his father. They
are two brother and sister who
are living with their parents in
Jhansi from last many years.
Dinesh could not study due to
his bad financial situation. But
Dinesh had interest in studies
from starting itself. When he
used to see other children
going school then he also
wished if he could go to
school. But he knew that his
familys financial condition is
not so good that he could leave
his work and could go to
school. Dinesh used to think
this also that he could study
along with his work.
15 years old Jaswant,
District Secretary of Badhte
Kadam gave this information
to Dineshs parents that
admissions of children to
school is going on and
anybody can get their children
admitted to government
schools. Along with this they
also told that their son is good
in studies. He wants to study
in school then his parents said

that we are ready to send

Dinesh to school but who will
get his admission done in
school so Jaswant told that
Avinash brother who is an
activist of CHETNA institute
will get Dinesh admitted to
school. After this Avinash
brother spoke to Dineshs
parents and made them ready
fully to get Dinesh admitted.
So that they send him school
every day after getting him
admitted in the school and
they should not put any
hindrance in his studies that he
is not able to go to school and
give time to their son to study.
After this Dineshs
parents said that they will send
their son to school every day.
Dineshs admission was done
in Class first of government
school. Now Dinesh has
started going to school. He
says that he is very happy on
going to school. He goes to
school first every day after
getting up in the morning and
then in afternoon goes to pick
junk so that he can help his
parents financially.
-Jaswant (15 years)

CHILDHOOD IN THE LAP OF HELPLESSNESS

14 years old Sumit lives in Sakhipura colony of Jhansi. He lives
with his parents. Sumits mother is mentally disturbed and his father
drinks liquor a lot. He has been associated with Badhte Kadam since
last two years and is an old member of Badhte Kadam.
Sumit had very much interest in studies so he used to come to
Sakhipuras contact point to study but his father used to tell him not to
study and whenever he used to come to contact point to study, his
father would pick him up from there and would sent him to work.
Sumit gradually stopped coming to the contact point. Now he
has started working and he manages his household expenditures on
his own by working. But Sumits father has a very bad habit of
drinking and he drinks liquor from the money which Sumit earns.
Whatever money Sumit earns, his father takes that from him and
drinks liquor from that money. Sumit had to go to work every day
because he is managing his households expenditures alone only and
his father does not work and drinks liquor from his sons earned
money.
Sumit takes care of his mother also as she is mentally disturbed
and go to work also. Whenever his father comes home drunk then he
creates chaos at home and starts fighting and beats up Sumit and his
mother also. Seeing all this Sumit becomes very sad.
His father goes where Sumit works and lent money from his
owner in his name and drinks liquor from all that money. Sumit has
got under debts due to this. Sumit is thinking to work more so that his
debts over him get covered.
In such a low age Sumit is taking care of his home. He works
whole day and takes care of his mother on coming back home. After
seeing all this when 15 years old Jaswant, reporter of Balaknama met
Sumit then Sumit told about him and said that he had interest in
studies. I want to study but what still I cannot study. Because if I will
go to study then who will take care of my mother and who will go to
work by which my households expenditures are taken care of.
Because of this I am not able to go to study as I am helpless.
-Jaswant (15 years)

GWALIOR

KHOYA PAYA WEB PORTAL WILL SEARCH MISSING CHILDREN

ou will be shocked to hear that reports of

around 70,000 missing children are
registered in Police Stations and are
searched in a year. This increasing number of missing
children year by year is an area of concern for the
government. Seeing all these situations and with the
objective of providing immediate protection to
missing and found children, Ministry of Women and
Child Development has made a Khoya Paya web
portal with the help of National Information Centre
(NIC).
On 3rd June, Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Minister of
Women and Child Development and Sh. Ravi
Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communications and
Information Technology started this web portal. In
this web portal, missing children and those missing
children who are seen or found, live broadcasting of
this program will be done through web casting. This
broadcasting centre can be seen on Governments
Ministry of Women and Child developments website
www.wcd.nic.in under white news within the caption

DRUNKEN PARENTS DO NOT LET THEIR CHILDREN STUDY

14 years old Aakash lives with his parents in
Valmiki camp of West Delhi. He has two brother
and sister. He does the work of picking up junk by
which he manages his household expenditures. His
parents do not work rather both drink liquor
together and whatever money he earns by picking
up junk his parents snatch it from him and drinks
liquor of that money. Aakash becomes very sad by
his parentsdeeds.
He roams around all the day either it is
summer or winter, picks up junk, earns this money
by doing hard work and his parents spend this
money on liquor in one go. Now he has become
very disappointed because if he does not give
money to his father then his father fights with him
and abuse him.
People there also say bad thing about them
because of his parents behavior. His sister who is
16 years old, she also goes in a bungalow to work
so that both can together meet their ends. But

Aakash does not like picking junk. He wants to

study and wants to move ahead. But neither he is
able to get any kind of facility nor anybody is there
to help him.
He wants that he goes to shelter home to study
but his father does not send him to study. During
this Vikas, District Secretary and Chandni, District
Chairman of Bahdte Kadam met him. They both
met his parents and talked about Aakashs study.
But his father refused and said that he will not send
our child to study. Aakash will work with us only.
He will not go anywhere and never for studies.
Hearing this aakash became very disappointed
and went to his work. Aakash wants to study at
good centre and wants to move ahead. But he may
not get this opportunity as his parents consume
liquor and his sister also works. Due to this he will
not be able to complete his studies. He still has a
wish in his heart to study one day and move ahead.
-Chandni (15 years)

Governments New Law And Childrens Views

When members of Badhte Kadam got to know that
government has given permission to children of 14 years
of age to work then a meeting of child members was
called upon to discuss on this topic. Child members were
asked that if they agree with this law or not.
15 years old Aakash who does work of selling waist
straps. During meeting Aakash said that I do not agree
with this law because earlier to this our government has
said if anybody forces any child of 14 years of age to
work then that would be a criminal offence and that
person can be punished. After such strong law also
children were made to work bountifully. And now our
government has given permission to children of 14 years
of age to work so in that case children will be made to
work more n more due to which more children will be
exploited. There can be bad influence on children living
in villages due to this new law of the government.
14 years old Noorabeen said that still children are
made to work and after coming of this new law child in
more number will start working now because parents
have now got an excuse to get work done from their
children as child who will go to school can work also. So
now all parents will get their child admitted in the school
but not to study rather forcing them to work so that they
can earn money by keeping them on work.
16 years old Monti said that if a child goes school
half day and half day he does the work then how will he
be able to do his homework. His attention will be more
towards the work because greed of children for getting
more money will increase and then he will not go to
school. He said that earlier he used to go to school but
studies were not proper there so he left the school. He
wanted to say that he was ready to study if he gets a good
school.
15 years old Jyoti said that she does not agree with
this new law of the government as people will get
complete freedom to get the work done from children.

Those parents, who force their children to beg, drink

liquor from the money children earn. They will get a
kind of power to get work done from children. I want
that this does not happen and those parents who make
their children work should be improved and those
parents who have no work should be given work by the
government by which children will not have to work
and along with this children will be able to go to
school.
16 years old Chandni told that now in Noida
nobody used to keep children on work in any shop,
restaurant, showroom or any other place because they
knew that keeping children of age of 14 years is a
criminal offence. But after knowing about this song
they will get complete freedom to keep children of 14
years of age on work. Because they will come to know
that now law also will not stop them from keeping
children on work and they will take more benefit of this
law. Because they will be able to earn more money
through children, this way they will get complete
freedom so I do not agree with this law.
16 years old Sourav said that our country has
more than 2 crores children who do not go to school,
we want that first these children should be sent to
school and those who are working should be stopped
rather than telling them to work because 14 years child
should study. Our government should make such
scheme in which parents should get work to improve
the situation of childrens home and should be given
that amount from which their household expenditures
can be managed properly. Childrens education should
also be taken care of completely and those people
should be stopped who compel children to work and
force them to beg. This way we children will not have
to work also and will be associated with education also.
-Monti (16 years)

The news letter is for limited distribution Financial Support : ERACH & Roshan Sadri Foundation

BALAKNAMA
of Khoya Paya. Apart from this its broadcasting can
be seen on facebook and twitter account of this
department.
According to Khoya Paya web portal
* Provision of immediate reporting of missing
and found children.
* It is easy to trace missing children through
the information based on site.
* It encourages the citizens to provide
information associated with children.
* Citizens can upload the information
regarding found children.
* Physical features of found children can be
matched with found children.
* Information of missing children or children
seen anywhere can be uploaded on khoyapaya.gov.in
Khoya Paya portal is a potential platform where
citizens can give report about missing children and
about their locations. Information can be given about
found children. This report can be uploaded on the
Khoya Paya site through the medium of photograph,
video and other sources of transmission.
-Shanno (19 years)

Social Institutions are not in favor of

decreasing the age of juveniles
Brainstorming continues
regarding Juvenile Justice Law
Social institutions have expressed deep
concern regarding reduction of age in Juvenile
Justice Law. Social workers feel that government
has shown hurry in passing this law and juvenile
justice bill 2014 was passed in the house without
doing complete discussions. Mr. Sanjay Gupta,
Director of CHETNA told while giving
information that:1. Violation of the right to equality: 16-18
years old children are not similar to adults in their
neurobiological structure and processes and
hence, treating them like adults would violate the
fundamental right to equality under Articles 14
and 15(3) of the Constitution.
2. According to new provisions it is not
possible for juvenile justice board to take
decision according to the mental condition of
juveniles or adults as this is out of the limit of
science as well.
3. Government should insist on ways of
rehabilitating the juveniles involved in crimes
and on their flaws; due to its absence juveniles are
not able to come into the mainstream.
Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) Lawyer, Mr.
Anant Asthana raised a question while
expressing his views on Juvenile Justice BillWhy human sentiments are being changed in
this law. This law was purely reformative rather
punitive.
Sonali Sisodia associated with CHETNA
organization said, There are lakhs of children in
this country who are out of their school and are
compelled to live on roads with odd conditions.
These children become victims of this helpless
law system.
Mr Sanjay Gupta told, In order of this Pro
child will start a campaign ubiquitously and will
request to government to adopt sympathetic
attitude towards juveniles in interest of the
country.
-Shanno (19 years)

Let us know about CHILD HELPLINE NUMBERS

Child helpline Number 1098: You can
contact this helpline number anytime whenever
you see a child in trouble. This is 24 hours
available and this is a toll free number.
Police Helpline Number 100: Police
helpline number is a toll free number where you
can call anytime for help.
Editorial Board:
Shanno, Chandni, Jyoti, Poonam,
Pooja, Shambhu, Sourav, Jaswant, Monti

Translated by: Richa Somvanshi

All photographs published in this news letter are with the consent of the children.