The importance of collective action for ensuring a brighter future for children is crucial for the country’s growth, write Sanskriti Chandel, Arfa Monis, and Muddassir Rashid

Children are the future of a country, and it is important that they grow up in an environment where nobody treats them unfairly. To achieve this goal we need to eradicate discrimination in all its forms, paving the way for a society where every child can get equal chance, fulfilling the dream of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Narendra Modi.

“The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country,” said Nehru.

The dissemination of skills through high-quality education, championing their individual interests, and aiding them in unlocking their vast potential is crucial.

It is important to see that they are not forced into the relentless and cut-throat arena of competition, threatening to snatch away the essence of their innocent childhood.

While interacting with students during the fifth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha at Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium, Modi said, “The unfulfilled dreams of parents and teachers should not be forced upon children. They should be allowed to decide their future freely and follow their dreams.”

However, the journey toward providing equal opportunities has been marked by its share of challenges, some seemingly insurmountable. The cause of concern for years has been that a lot of children, especially girls, are leaving school early, child labour, early marriage and sexual exploitation.

In 2021-22, more students left school before finishing secondary education in seven States compared to the average for the whole country.

Gujarat, Bihar, Karnataka, Assam, and Punjab are some of the States where the number of students dropping out of secondary school was higher than the national average of 12.6 per cent, according to official data sources.

High dropout rates pose a major challenge to achieving the ambitious 100 per cent Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) goal outlined in the new National Education Policy by 2030. Officials stress the importance of addressing this issue to successfully implement the policy’s objectives.

Last year, a survey by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed that in some areas, children had to leave school and begin working as labourers alongside their families or doing house cleaning for others.

“Children in South Asia face deprivation of basic rights due to issues such as child labour and trafficking. Within the context of contemporary South Asia the culture of childhood is deeply intertwined with a rich history and traditions,” said Jamia Hamdard Vice Chancellor Professor M Afshar Alam this week at an international seminar which drew experts from Bangladesh and Nepal also to the university campus.

There is a strong realisation among experts to safeguard India’s future. Convener and chairperson of the Department of Sociology at South Asian University, Dev Nath Pathak, emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting child rights and social development.

The importance of collective action for ensuring a brighter future for children is crucial for the country’s growth, as India is home to more than 444

million children, making it one of the places with the most children and teenagers in the world.

Protecting children is a collective responsibility involving States, communities, civil society, and various organisations, explained Farhat Basir Khan, Media Studies Professor at Jamia Hamdard.

It is crucial to tackle the issues children face every day, emphasised Jamia Hamdard Professor Reshma Nasreen.

There is a need for collective action for the welfare of children. Taking care of children goes beyond just their bodies — it is important to look after their feelings, thoughts, and spirits too.

When we give them attention and care from the start, we are planting the seeds for a future India with strong and smart leaders. These leaders will be all set to handle whatever comes their way with wisdom and strength.

(The writers are students of Mass Communication, Jamia Hamdard)