Children are the builders of the future: Judge Basavaraj
Stating that children are the citizens and builders of the future, Chief Judge of the Family Court C.K. Basavaraj emphasised that every child has a fundamental right to education, health, recreation and a safe childhood, and called for greater attention towards the welfare and development of children.
He was speaking after inaugurating the World Day Against Child Labour programme organised at the Zilla Panchayat Hall in Madikeri recently under the joint auspices of the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, District Legal Services Authority, Labour Department, District Child Labour Planning Society, Women and Child Development Department, School Education Department, Social Welfare Department, Children’s Special Police Unit, Integrated Tribal Development Project, Child Protection Unit and Madikeri Lawyers Association.
He observed that due to poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and various social problems, many children are forced to work in factories, hotels and shops. Stressing that children below the age of 14 should be in schools, he said child labour must be prevented.
Basavaraj said that children are the nation’s valuable assets and future builders and expressed regret that many children are compelled to work during an age when they should be learning, playing and developing their talents.
He pointed out that poverty, illiteracy and socio-economic inequalities are the main causes of child labour, but added that these should not become excuses to deny children access to education.
The government has introduced several welfare measures, including mid-day meals, hostels, residential schools, scholarships and free bus passes for students. These facilities should be effectively utilised and no child should be deprived of education under any circumstances, he said.
Basavaraj warned that child labour hampers the physical, mental and intellectual development of children, curtails their right to education and destroys their dreams and aspirations. Therefore, every citizen has a responsibility to eradicate child labour, he said.
He explained that the Constitution and various laws provide special protection for children. Article 24 of the Constitution prohibits the employment of children below 14 years of age in factories, mines and hazardous occupations, while Article 21A guarantees free and compulsory education to children.
“The message that children should have books in their hands and not tools of labour should be spread everywhere,” he said, calling upon everyone to join hands to eliminate child labour.
The Chief Judge further stressed that every child deserves education, safety and a dignified childhood.
Senior Civil Judge and Member Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, Shubha, administered the pledge on the occasion and said childhood is a precious stage in life that should remain filled with activity and happiness.
She observed that memories of childhood games remain lifelong and help children remain active and healthy. Therefore, children should not be deprived of their childhood.
She said that education should be given priority over child labour. Though the pressure on children to work has reduced in recent years, their childhood should be fully respected and they should be encouraged to develop actively.
Expressing concern over increasing instances of drug addiction among children, she called for collective efforts to curb the menace.
She urged the public to report any sale or consumption of narcotic substances and cautioned against attempts to conceal such activities.
Describing child labour and child marriage as social evils, she called upon everyone to work together to build a healthy society.
She said a healthy family environment is essential for children to grow into responsible citizens. Constant discord within families adversely affects the minds of children and hence parents must exercise caution.
Deputy Divisional Officer Nitin Chakki stressed that children should be compulsorily sent to school and that emphasis should be placed on education, health and discipline. He said children should be taught ethics and values so that they can become responsible citizens.
Deputy Director of the School Education Department Basavaraju said the department has adopted the slogan “Good Learning, Bright Future” for the current year and stressed the need to focus on learning and shaping a bright future.
He noted that the Constitution provides free and compulsory education to all children below the age of 14 and said the provisions under the Right to Education Act should be fully utilised.
He added that the government has introduced several programmes for the welfare of children and they should be made accessible to all.
Advocate Manoj Bopaiah of Yaldalu, speaking on child welfare and juvenile labour laws, asserted that self-discipline and proper upbringing are equally important alongside laws and regulations.
He said child protection and compliance with legal provisions have long been recognised and emphasised the need to develop skills and creativity among children.
Referring to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016, he said employing children below the age of 14 is illegal and that adolescents between 14 and 18 years cannot be employed in hazardous occupations. Violations attract fines and imprisonment, he said.
He added that the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, plays a vital role in preventing child labour by ensuring access to education.
He appealed to citizens to inform the authorities whenever children are found engaged in labour and stressed that every child should attend school and enjoy a safe childhood.
Taluk Senior Labour Inspector M.M. Yathnatti said that with the objective of making Kodagu district child labour-free, the District Child Labour Scheme Society has been functioning actively.
Since 2017, as many as 3,455 inspections have been conducted, during which 30 child labourers and 64 adolescent labourers were identified. Of these, 37 children were rehabilitated while the remaining 57 were handed over to their parents, he said.
Shiraz Ahmed, Project Director of the District Child Labour Scheme Society, was felicitated for his contribution towards the protection and rehabilitation of child and adolescent labourers.
District Child Welfare Committee President V. Ambika and others were present. Â Senior Labour Inspector S. Shashidhar welcomed the gathering. Administrative Assistant of the District Legal Services Authority B.S. Jayappa compered the programme, while First Division Assistant of the Labour Department Yashoda offered the invocation.
Students of Kodagu Vidyalaya rendered the Naadageethe and Vande Mataram. Girish and his team presented songs highlighting the significance of World Day Against Child Labour.
