Pressing their little faces on tinted car windows with repeated attempts of selling the tri color, the scene which gets common at traffic signals prior to Independence Day does not only narrate plight of these young boys and girls but also counters the laud claim of governments in not leaving any stone unturned to implement the Right to Education (RTE).
Attribute it to fate or acceptance of their families, who prefers training their minors to earn over getting educated; it could well be taken as surprise that these young sellers are not even aware of the significance of occasion for which they are selling the national flags on traffic signals.
Idea of going to school or even discussing it is a waste of time for these young kids trying hard of approaching maximum possible vehicles in changing signals.
Critically, scene at busy Board Office Square could also be taken as a mark on the face of shining India where a seven year old boy Sonu was spotted carrying a bunch of Indian flags and was pleading the vehicle borne to buy at least one.
He was seen pleading,” ek to le lo kamai ho jayegi” (Please take at least one, I will be able to earn a bit)
For Sonu, Independence Day is no more than an occasion and an opportunity where he can have sales and earn a bit for his family members.
Sonu said,” I do not go to school but I earn for my family members on such occasions. A pair of flags costs rupees 20 and by the end of the day I am able to earn 40-50 rupees only to fill the stomach at a time.”
On asking whether he knows about the significance of the tri color he was selling and the Independence Day he nodded his head and saw with puzzled eyes. Soon he got engaged with his work and wanted not to disturb him during his working hours.
Similarly, A 10 year old boy Raghu too was busy in selling the Indian Flags at Roshanpura Square and he had other decorative items too for sale.
Unfortunately Raghu was not able to start his day’s business as he could not get buyers who would purchase the tri color and he would be able to earn a little to fill his stomach.
Unaware of the importance of going to school both Raghu and Sonu are more concerned towards earning for their families. Whether willingly or unwillingly children like Sonu and Raghu are engaged in earning for their livings. Many children are spotted selling things on such occasions and for them the occasions are only a means to earn their livings.
District Education Officer (DEO) CM Upadhyay said that,” the government has given the provision of granting free and compulsory education to the children from 6-14 years but awareness is also required on part of their family members. For instance if I see a child begging at the traffic signal I ask him to come along with me for admission in the school and other facilities concerning his education but the parents actually do not agree. It is very hard to convince them and they do not send their child for granting admission in school. So this is the factor that restricts the child from going to school. The government is trying its best to encourage the education amongst the poor children but the parents too will have to cooperate as the step initiated by the government is in the favor of such children.”
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