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Child labor is the shame of the country, the disgrace of the nation, If you take away the smile of a child, where will you find life? Children are the future of the nation. Children are the future citizens of the country. If those children are neglected and exploited in society, then the development of the country is not possible in any way. Well, children are naturally imaginative, and emotional, the seven nights of the rainbow in the sky of the child's mind. But, if children can be robbed of their childhood and used for livelihood, then what is more sad than this? Mahatma Gandhi said -
"There can be no greater national curse than child labor."
The profits of the capitalist class are increasing today. Several capitalists make huge profits by using children illegally in factories. Christina Rossetti wrote “Cry of the Children” after listening to the cries of child laborers. Poet Sukanta Bhattacharya wrote, "As long as there is life in the body, I will remove the garbage of this world with life, I will make this world habitable for this child, this is my firm commitment to the newborn."
Currently, the capitalists are paying low wages to children to earn crores of profit. Besides, children are employed in many jobs like housework, tea shops, shoe polishing, textile factories, etc. for very little wages. These children work day after day under torture in an unsanitary environment. They cannot eat, dress or even sleep well, they do not get a moment's rest. If they can't work, their fate is whipping, kicking, and insulting. They are being imprisoned without food.
The child labor problem is seen in almost all countries of the world. India has the highest number of child laborers and their rate is increasing continuously. At present the number of child laborers in India is more than 10 crores.
Economic backwardness, i.e. poverty and illiteracy are two main causes of the child labor problem. One of the reasons for having more children and child labor in poor families. However, poverty and illiteracy are the main problems.
The problem of child labor can be eliminated if the Child Labor Prevention and Control Act is strictly enforced in India. But even though this law was passed in the year 1986, it has not yet been properly implemented. However, it is not possible to solve this problem only by applying the law. A maximum initiative should be taken to eliminate poverty and unemployment in the country. Besides, general education should be done. This problem will be removed from our country if the population growth rate can be reduced and children can be given a suitable environment.
The problem of child labor has attracted the attention of the entire world today. Since 1989, the 'International Year of the Child' has been organized to bring smiles to children's faces. Currently in India 'The Child Labor Prohibition and Control Act' has been tightened. Education of children has been provided through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. By introducing the mid-day meal system, they have been provided educational opportunities and hunger relief. But that is not enough. Child labor cannot be stopped without radical change and development of the economic system of society.
The problem of child labor is a national disgrace. Children are the future of the nation. To put a flowery smile on their faces, we want the end of capitalism, human values, and love for children.