The Call

Mr. Varun Prasad, Director of the NGO ‘Awaaz’, was fond of walking to his office at Paharia Street, Patna. He would, on his way to work, see Ratan, a little boy, working in a tea stall, cleaning tables and serving clients. “So early in the day and he is already up and working!” he would say to himself. Often Mr. Prasad and his colleagues would stop at the tea stall for their morning tea. Ratan would smilingly serve everyone. Gradually, Ratan became very close to Mr. Prasad and confided in him about how much he missed his family.

Ratan came from a small village near Patna, where he had a widowed mother and 4 siblings. He had been brought to the city by his ‘uncle’ who sold him to the owner of the tea stall for a paltry sum of Rs Ratan pined to be with his family but wasn’t sure if he would ever see them again. The Headmaster of a neighbouring school, Sri Abhijit Sen, had requested the tea stall owner to send Ratan to school, but he had been turned away with a rude remark on how people should mind their own business 4 other children of Ratan’s age also worked at the tea stall and had been brought to the city by the same uncle.

“There must be a lot of child labour in the area,” thought Mr. Prasad “nobody seems to care about any laws!” “ I must approach the stall owners and request them to free these children from such bondage. It is not fair for us, adults, to deprive these kids of their childhood”

The next day, he went to the tea stall where Ratan worked and talked to the tea stall owner. He found that three small children, below 9 years of age, worked from 6 in the morning till late night, for one square meal and a monthly wage of Rs.300. Mr. Prasad was shocked. “This is unfair and also against the law” he told the owner of the tea stall. The owner was infuriated, “ Babu, you do your own work. Don’t teach me any laws”. Mr. Prasad was almost thrown out, on to the street.

Over the next week, Mr. Prasad visited several tea stalls and offices in the area and recorded the presence of an astonishing number of child labourers. As soon as he would request for the freedom of these children, he would be turned out, insulted and even threatened, at times.

“I have to seek help from those who have the power to bring an end to this practice. I need help from people who have the power to enforce a change.” thought Mr. Prasad. He visited the local MLA and requested him to help put an end to these unlawful activities. “ I don’t think you should interfere,” said Mr. Mishra, the MLA, “ you know how delicate these issues are”. He spat some paan onto the wall and smiled knowingly at Mr. Prasad.

Undeterred by the lack of support, Mr. Prasad wrote an article in “Janmat” a local newspaper admonishing the common man and the government for ignoring the plight of children working for a living. He brought to light several cases of child labour in his locality, stirring the conscience of the local authorities. “ Who is to be held responsible for flouting the law?” he asked one and all. The next day he received a call on his mobile. “I think you’d rather stay away from all this if you want to live to an old age” the nameless voice threatened.

He knew this was not the time to back out. He spoke to the people in the community and requested for their support. He called for a protest movement. He also organised local support from the media, politicians, development organisations and even the children themselves. Mr. Abhijit Sen also came forward to help. With the help of the police, all the children in the area were rescued from their dreary existence. With Mr. Sen’s help, Mr. Prasad started an Education Fund for the children. Contributions flowed in, with the local community displaying great generosity towards supporting this cause.

It occurred as an afterthought to Mr. Prasad that some children did not have any place they could call home. “Maybe I could clear up the basement of my office and arrange a night shelter for them,” he thought to himself. Within a matter of weeks, 13 children made the Awaaz office, their home. They started to go to the government schools nearby.

There are no children working in that particular locality these days. Ratan went back to his village and now studies in a government school there. Mr. Prasad arranged for part time employment for his mother so that she could support her family. Others who worked as child labour in the locality have been rescued by the police. They now go to schools. The fund helps them meet their basic necessities. These children have been given the greatest gift of all…..their childhood. THE END

Mr. Prasad, has set an example to others by showing great strength of character, exceptional leadership qualities and a great sense of social justice. He continues to inspire others and also continues to work towards making a difference in the lives of many more such children.