Message on World Child Labor Prohibition Day

Today, on the occasion of World Child Labor Prohibition Day, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan, reminded us all that that childhood is not permanent, and if it is snatched, it will never come back again. By putting children in labor, we are preparing generation after generation with lack of education, and making generations face lifelong food insecurity and social insecurity.

Many families have become unemployed during this epidemic, and with that has come a huge increase in child labor. Millions of children are forced to work as child laborers, as their parents run out of means of  livelihood.  Many will not be able to return to school, even after the pandemic crisis is over, due to lack of funds. Bold steps must be taken with strong will to prevent the unexpected increase in child labor in this time of crisis.

Pujya Swamiji said that even before the epidemic started, there were more than 16 million young children in child labor. We all need to make sure no child is left behind. Let’s all work together with concrete strategies to win this battle, and educate our children in schools instead of labouring on the streets.

All sections of society will have to come forward to eradicate child labor. So many children are seen doing child labour every day in India, yet we often overlook it and it has now become an epidemic for our society. Let’s create an environment that children have books in their hands and not broom-wipes!