Actress Aishwarya Raj Bhakuni says that she has always felt strongly against child labour and adds that not only is it illegal but it also robs a child of his innocence and childhood.
“My professional film and modelling career takes me to a myriad of situations and places. One of the most poignant and emotionally disturbing scenarios I witness is how child labour flourishes with great impunity. Child labour is not just illegal but also a travesty which denies a child of his/her fundamental rights to a dignified profession, and education and is a great travesty on his or her innocence,” she says.
She adds, “It pains my heart when I realise that certain vested interests for some financial gains are sacrificing the lives of children, who are the future of our nation. Instead of giving them skills and wherewithal to become informed and educated citizens, insensitive people are sacrificing the beautiful lives and future of children at the altar of greed.”
The actress wishes that certain laws and consequences be enforced strongly so that child labour is not practised at all in the country. “I wish that child labour should totally be abolished in India and instead a right to education is introduced for each and every child so that we can give children opportunities to make a great future and become an asset for our country. People who encourage child labour should be brought within the ambit of law and stringent punishment should be invariably meted out to them,” she says.
