Global March Against Child Labour: From Exploitation to Education
Global March Against Child Labour - From Exploitation to Education
Day 23: Dhangari, Mahendra Nagar (Nepal), Nanakmatta (Uttarakhand)
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 

19th March 2007: At 9:00 in morning the march kicked off from Dhangari to India ( Sitarganj). Four public meetings were held on the way where thousands of people were addressed.

The first public meeting was in Mahendra Nagar Bazaar. The regional office of BASE, Kanchanpur with the LDO Mr Ramesh Kumar Adhikari welcomed the march. While addressing  the public said that this is a golden opportunity that we have got to welcome this historical march in our town. This programme will not only bring change in laws but also help empowering the young generation so that they can also think about social issues.  

Yogya Raj Chaudhary said that until the time child trafficking will not be stopped till that time child labour couldn't be abolished. Out of the trafficked only 10% are sold in different countries and 90% are sold in India. I request Mr Kailash Satyarthi to  take serious steps to stop buying of children because the demand for children comes from India which lead to supply from India.

Sanju, Zila Bal Kalyaan Samiti said that only by enchanting the slogans will not solve the problems the victims of conflict are still leading miserable lives which pressurize children to work and get involved in other crimes.

Kailash Satyarthi making people understand Sanju's frustration and feelings said that these children who are marching on the roads are former laourers who were bought and sold as animals these roads which connects India and Nepal are drenched with tears and blood of children. If now also after listening to Sanju Abdul you are not feeling for this issue and raising your voice against it than you all the most cowherd people in human history. Be courageous and fight back get hold of these traffickers in restaurants hotels and bring justice to these children who are walking from past month to awaken your soul.

Just after the march crossed Nepal border the Lion's club had organized a public meeting in Bambassa as this town touches the borders of Nepal many children are trafficked. The activist Mr Chauhan and Mr Kalra rescued 150 children by being trafficked from this area recently only and people are still ignorant about the issue therefore a public meeting was organized so that mass awareness could be done.  

Kailash Satyarthi and Rama Kant Rai explained the meaning of child trafficking for forced labour and appealed to the Lions Club Members to make a Public Monitoring Committee to keep a track on child trafficking and general people can reach this committee to get help and guidance.

At Nanak Matta, Sitargsnj the meeting was taken by the Mukti Karwan child activist and they after such a long and tiring journey in scorching sun addressed the public very enthusiastically and said like animals are queued and sold same way children are sold in a market place this is a market place where different commodities sold, can you imagine that same kind of market is for selling of children.

Don't they have a right to be educated or enlightened? Like a ministers son or rich person daughter. We all children have equal right in the democratic government to get good quality of education.

After a freedom song by Hansa Singh team Kailash Satyarthi said that we are singing this song in the meeting to make you all present here that the freedom that we got is not complete we still need to free our children because they are still bonded labourers. This march consist of people from 12 states including Nepal, Bangladesh to wake up your soul and remind you that this is not the time to relax. If fire hasn't reached your house then this doesn't mean that it will never trap your face one day may be your children will be standing in the queue to be sold.

The day came to an end with the pledge taken by shopkeepers, hotel and restaurant owners that they  will do their best to combat child trafficking in there area.
 
 
Global March Against Child Labour - From Exploitation to Education

Home I About Us I Partners I CP's Column I News I Campaigns I Events I Resource Center I Contact I Get Involved I Donate I Media I Blog I Video I Site Map

Copyright © 2008 Global March International Secretariat