Childhood is the golden period of life, when countless dreams take shape in the eyes, the mind takes flight through the skies of imagination and possibilities for the future begin to emerge. This is the time when children should have books in their hands, the joy of play in their feet and an innocent smile on their faces.
Yet, there is another bitter truth in our society: even today, the childhoods of many children remain buried under deprivation, addiction, poverty and the burden of labour. Their little hands, meant to hold pens, are instead seen engaged in difficult and demanding work. Their lives, resembling those of orphans, are a consequence of the insensitivity and collective failure of our society.
World Day Against Child Labour, observed every year on June 12, is not merely a formal occasion, but an opportunity for introspection. We must ask ourselves whether we have succeeded in creating a society where children can naturally enjoy their rights to education, security, healthcare and a dignified life. If not, it is a matter of concern for all of us.
Child labour is not merely a social problem; it is an offence against the fundamental values of humanity. Forcing a child to bear the burden of responsibilities before their age is a violation of their rights. Children do not belong in factories, shops, roadside eateries or hazardous workplaces. Their place is in schools, on playgrounds and within the loving environment of their families. Our Shramoday Schools embody this very spirit.
When a child is forced to work, it is not merely their present that is affected; their future is also compromised. Their dreams become limited and their opportunities for development are obstructed.
The Government of Madhya Pradesh is working with complete commitment towards eliminating practices such as child labour and bonded labour. Our clear goal is: “A Bonded- and Child-Labour-Free Madhya Pradesh.” This is not merely an administrative objective, but a broad campaign for social transformation. We want to build a state where no child is forced to work out of compulsion and every child has the opportunity to realise their dreams.
The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 has provided an important foundation in this direction. The law prohibits the employment of children and provides for strict action against offenders. Similarly, the Right to Education Act guarantees every child the right to free and compulsory education.
These are not merely legal provisions, but an expression of the belief that education can liberate children from the cycle of poverty and exploitation.
However, simply enacting laws does not solve the problem. Challenges such as child labour can only be confronted through the collective participation of society. If we see a child working around us, it is not solely the administration’s responsibility to take action. It is the moral responsibility of all of us to help that child move towards a better life.
Society, industry, voluntary organisations, educational institutions and responsible citizens: all must become participants in this campaign.
Five important pillars are essential for eliminating child labour: legal assistance, rehabilitation, skill development, public awareness and administrative sensitivity.
Simply freeing children from labour is not enough. They must also be provided with education, security, healthcare and opportunities for a bright future. With this objective, the government and my department are providing assistance to affected families through rehabilitation schemes, skill-development programmes and social-security schemes.
In reality, poverty is the biggest cause of child labour. When families face economic hardship, children too are forced to shoulder responsibilities at an early age. Therefore, eliminating child labour does not simply mean removing children from workplaces; it also means economically empowering their families.
Employment generation, self-employment schemes and rural development programmes play an important role in this direction. When families become self-reliant, children will no longer need to work and will instead be able to focus on education and their overall development.
Today, the need is to ensure that child labour is not treated merely as a government issue, but becomes a part of social consciousness. We must create an environment where children’s hands hold books instead of tools, where their eyes shine with dreams rather than fear, and where their lives are filled not with struggle, but with endless possibilities and opportunities.
It is also necessary to understand the distinction between child labour and skill development. If a child is interested in learning a traditional family art, occupation or ancestral craft, it may reflect their inherent talent and aptitude. In such a situation, learning that skill according to the child’s interest can become a means of personality development, provided that it does not adversely affect the child’s education, health or rights to childhood.
On the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour, we must all resolve that no child’s childhood should be spent in compulsion.
Let us work together to build such a Madhya Pradesh and such an India where every child can live a safe, educated and dignified life. “Child-Labour-Free Madhya Pradesh” is not merely a goal; it is the foundation of a developed, compassionate and prosperous India: an India whose future rests upon the bright future of its children.
This, in the truest sense, is the path of nation-building, and it is also our greatest social responsibility.