Child workers career fund is a worldwide campaign by Nishant Nihar. The campaign has seen enormous support from various leaders across the nation. The campaign highlights that as the Government of India has recently enforced a complete ban on child labour. But, what's the alternative left for them? What will they do once they are denied work? These children certainly did not come to work for fun, they came out of extreme compulsion of earning two square meals for themselves. As we know some friends who were working to feed their destitute mothers, little sisters and brothers. How will they live now? Can they go to school? Can they play in empty stomach? Can this law give them back their lost childhood? Poverty is the mother of all crimes, which may force them to beg or steal. 

 

Nishant’s appeal to the Hon. Prime Minister that was published in The Statesman (Voices) on 19 October 2006. Here is what he appealed :

 

 

Nishant Writes to Hon. Members of Parliament

From: Nishant Nihar <nishantnihar@gmail.com>
Date: 08-Nov-2006 13:22 
Subject: Students Campaign for Child Workers' Career Fund

 

TO

The Hon. Members of Parliament,

New Delhi, India.

 

SUB : Appeal to raise the demand for a Child Workers' Career Fund in the coming winter session of Parliament .

 

Esteemed Grandpas, Grannies, Uncles and Aunties,

I am a Std.VIII student of Bhubaneswar, Orissa concerned about my unfortunate friends working hard in our homes, hotels, match and cracker industry and watch us going schools. They are all like us, yet so different by birth - just because they are born in poverty! It's their age to play. It's their right to go to school. It's their natural claim to get love and affection. But, poverty forces their tiny tender hands to wash the dishes, roll matchsticks and pack explosive crackers. While you all create hue and cry in the parliament against the burden of school bags on our tiny shoulders, I have seen these poor friends of ours loading and unloading bags of rice in shops.

 

It's good that the Government of India has recently enforced a complete ban on child labour. But, what's the alternative left for them? What will they do once they are denied work? These children certainly did not come to work for fun, they came out of extreme compulsion of earning two square meals for themselves. I know some friends who were working to feed their destitute mothers, little sisters and brothers. How will they live now? Can they go to school? Can they play in empty stomach? Can this law give them back their lost childhood? Poverty is the mother of all crimes, which may force them to beg or steal. 

 

I have already written to the Hon. Prime Minister on this issue and my open Appeal was published in The Statesman (Voices) on 19 October 2006. Here is what I appeal :

• The Government should set up a Child Workers' Career Fund for rehabilitation and education of the rescued child workers.

• Law alone cannot solve these problems of socio-economic compulsion. Conscience is more powerful than any constitution. Let's call people to give up their bad habits like smoking and drinking, stop the unnecessary pump and show in Diwali, New Year and other such celebrations; and contribute this money to this Fund.

• My school friends have decided to skip one day's tiffin and share this amount with our poor child worker friends through this Fund.

• Me and my younger sister Naimisha of Std.II did not burst crackers in Diwali, did not celebrate our birth days. We have reserved total Rs.4481.50 (including the amount in the savings box of Naimisha) to share with our poor friends as a little starting contribution for the Child Workers' Career Fund.

Future of a nation lies in the future of its children. I appeal you all to please spare a little time to think about the uncertain future of our helpless friends, who, by little alternation of fate, could have born as your children or grandchildren. Please, please, please return the innocent smiles of childhood back to their lips. Please build the foundation for a better future of India.

 

With regards,

Yours affly,

 

Nishant Nihar