10 year old Ramya was found crying near prestigious Royal Palms Complex in Mumbai.
Her hands were brutally burnt.
Eyes were dreadfully injured!!
Helplessness was evident in her expression!!
Mr. Co-ordinator, Toastmaters & Fellow Speech Crafters,
Yes, Ramya was working as maid-servant of a TV actress!!
She was physically and mentally abused by the actress!!
Can you imagine your child working under hellish conditions for long hours?
Even the coldest heart must find this picture shocking.
Unfortunately, the hearts of corporate leaders and high society people must be colder than ice.
They are consciously and willfully, ignoring the plight of child laborers in their runaway pursuit of profits.
Today, child labor is the most insidious form of exploitation. It turns a helpless child into another cog in the machine of the global economy.
These kids are working under grueling circumstances like..
– Weaving delicate threads to make the world’s most expensive carpets.
– Dangerous factory units manufacturing fireworks.
– Carrying loads heavier than their own body weight.
UNICEF report says 158 million children aged between 5 and 14 are engaged in child labor – which means that one in every six children in the world.
Thoughts of childhood days take us to nostalgic mood of those beautiful memories. Get back to those splendid days for a moment!!
We did enjoy life to the fullest!!
But, this is not the story with every child in this world!!
Millions of girls are working as domestic servants. They are specially vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
As per UNICEF research, Poverty, ignorance and lack of education are the causes for child labor. Children living in the poorest households and rural areas are mostly engaged in child labor.
These children would never have had a chance to
– play,
– get an education OR
– Enjoy the exuberance of youth
My maid servant’s daughter was studying with me till the 4th std.
Suddenly, she dropped out from the school. Reason – she had to take care of house hold chores & her younger siblings @ home!! My mom’s attempt to convince the maid went in vein.
International conglomerates are in a race for highest profit.
They use innocent children to lower the production price!!
Even international trade rules support it indirectly, in the name “Liberal-Trade”.
Incredulously, WTO (World Trade Organization) has the rights to punish a country, if it refuses to buy products made by children.
Indian government prohibits the use of children in factories as well as hotels & homes.
But, Government regulations will come into action only when -
Each of us takes the responsibility to put an end to this evil…
I appeal everyone in this room to join hands with Government & non-profit organizations in ending this malevolence.
I request you all to
- Dial 1098, if you find a child in distress
- Take an oath to not to buy anything produced by child labors
- Make donations to support NGOs like CRY , CREDA and CWC, working for the cause
In every nation, at this very moment Millions of children are bound to a sewing machine in a sweatshop.
Let those innocents know that that their cry for liberation has not gone unheard.
Let us all do our best to bring the smile on those innocent faces!!
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