Indian Street Children and their Rehab

In the streets of India it is one of the most common sights to observe small homeless children begging, selling knick knacks at signals, doing some petty jobs, singing or shining shoes.  Every street child has an unique story to tell. Their desperation makes them run away and resort to such a life of uncertainity, where they can be exposed to endless dangers of  drug trafficking, organ trade, prostitution and slavery.Most of them are malnourished, illiterate, shelterless and suffer from severe hunger. The reason why they are here is because these children are most vulnerable to poverty, urbanization, rapid economic growth, the breakdown of families and domestic violence. Some children are lured with the fact that they have freedom and others out of despair. As a society we fail to provide effective protection  and support.

The government always comes up with a act in place and in India we have the Juvenile Justice Act (Care and Protection of Children). The act spells out the government’s responsibilities in the care, the protection and the development of neglected children, but also tackles issues related to crime prevention and the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents. But we all know that these Acts only sound good. Their promises are far from the truth. This act ensures first an " Observation Home" that temporarily  holds facilities for juveniles who are arrested by the police or found to be living in neglect. Juveniles “in conflict with the law” remain there awaiting trial. If convicted, they are sent to "Special Homes". Children “in need of care and protection” stay there pending the completion of a government investigation which tries to track down their parents and collect information on their family background. If the parents turn out to be dead, untraceable, unfit, or simply unwilling to take the child back, the Juvenile Welfare Board arranges for the child’s placement in a Juvenile Homes, where the government is responsible for providing room, board, education, and vocational training.

All these sound very rosy but in sharp contrast what I have read and understood is life there is horrible. The life of children who have the misfortune of  ending up there is just pathetic. The children are often confined in a room and controlled by guards. They spend most of the day in silence and get up  to only visit rest rooms. They suffer from severe body aches as they keep sitting in the same posture most of the day. Although the goverment sanctions ration for three meals what they get to eat is a miniscule. Many of these children cannot bear the situation and commit suicides. The children’s health conditions are a major cause of concern. Scarce hygiene, insufficient nutrition, and the lack of space render the children easy prey to a variety of highly contagious diseases. Here in these homes they often become victims of sexual harraasements.

We are blessed and fortunate. Lets take time and think for others. Lets atleast support or work with any NGOs or Organizations to make the life of others a little more better. Lets contribute our time or wealth and give these little children a better world to live in.

A line of a songs now rings in my mind " Heal the world ...make it a better place....for you and for me and the entire human race"

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