'Street kids exploited due to non-implementation of laws'

Hundreds of street children continue to be exploited and remain uneducated due to non-implementation of child laws, according to activists.
Anju Talukdar from Multiple Action Research Group (MARG), which works with women and children and unorganised labour, said there has been no realisaton of the existing child-sensitive laws, leaving the lives of street children unchanged.
Talukdar was part of a discussion titled, "The Invisibles - A dialogue" organised by Youth ki Awaz and Save the Children here recently.
The session aimed at speaking up for child rights and "fight for the rights of India's most vulnerable citizens," by discussing the issue from various angles and suggesting feasible solutions.

"We have a special law for children on sexual act with special measures for children, child friendly measures -- police procedures to medical procedures - all foucussed on children. But, the gap is in the implementation. There is a big problem of Street children in all smart cities," Talukdar said.
Two youth advocates, who used to live on the streets before being rescued, also shared their stories.

15-year old Salmaan, who was rescued by one of Save the Children India's partner NGOs, aspires to become an actor, besides a powerful advocate for children's rights. His short play is scheduled to be staged soon.

"I lived on the streets before. I was not doing anything at that time. We were not given any importance by others, they didn't even bother if we passed in front of them," Salman said.
Often spotted cleaning tables or getting chai at dhabas, street children are not just subjected to exploitation but are also stripped off any identity of their own, with evry child being addressed as either a "Raju", "Chotu" or a "Kalu".
"I don't know whether you have noticed, boys who are employed at the 'dhabas' and other shops are often called as ' 'Raju', Kalu' or Chotu, we don't have a particular name. There are thousands of children like us in the country. We also dream to study," he said.

Nisha, now a class IX student used to work as a domestic help to support her family. After being rescued, she was enrolled in an English Medium school, where she not only excels in studies but also aims to become a doctor someday.
"I had to do the job of 'dusting' when I was nine. But I wanted to study and I got the opportunity to get it".
"For you, it was very easy to reach 8th standard. But for
me, it was a difficult task. I had to work for my family from the age of nine because in our society, people think, what is the need for a girl to study.

"I know that I have to work hard to become a doctor. But, whenever I hear that girls can't do anything, I get angry because I am also a girl!" she said.
The discussion also saw experts detailing the legal framework safeguards and enforcements.
"According to Right to Education Act, for a street child, he can go to a government school and get the right to education. In case of private schools, 25 per cent seats are reserved for disadvantaged students which also include street children (in some states only)," Anju said.
"The poorer we are, the weak we see government machinery against us. According to Juvenile Justice Act, if the child does not have a place to stay, take the child to the Child welfare committee, the child welfare committee will take him/ her to a home or a place of safety," she said.

Kalikesh Singh Deo, MP from Odisha who also attended the session, asked the youth to be aware of the problems faced by street children.
"Use the voice for the children, start a campaign from your college itself. Use your power to make a change," he said.