Pestering people for alms at red lights on the roads, working in shops, selling balloons have turned them into something other than being just kids. Doing such things for living for days continues to rob them of what is known as childhood, bit by bit.
Engaged into their daily rounds of drudgery for the sake of survival in this hard world, they sounded unaware of the Children's Day that was observed with pomp and show across the State on Saturday.
While many kids attired in sparkling clothes were seen enjoying the day with their parents, savouring sumptuous meals in the famous eateries some were found begging outside the malls and eateries, faces telling the sad, sordid tales of their daily struggle for survival.
When asked whether he was aware that this was a special day for them, a child beggar, found begging outside a glittering mall, looked vacantly and drifted away.
Jhanvi Kumari from a poor family who studies at a Government-run school in the city said she enjoyed the day a great deal. "I love this day as my mother cooks 'halwa and poori ' for me and my brother," she said.
Kavita , Shalini Kumari , Kajal Rani, Ritu and Anand Kumar are the students of Rajkiya Primary School. They looked excited. They were gifted new school dresses by the school authority. This aside, 'halwa' was distributed among them at lunch at the school. "We are indeed happy. New dresses and lunch…" Anand said, eyes twinkling in glee.
Varsha Pal, a teacher in the same school, said the students were happy the whole day. "We organised the sack race and some dance performances for them. Apart from this, new dresses were given to them so that they could wear them on this special day. We are happy too, seeing them happy," she added.
"As the school was closed today my mummy and papa took me to the Mc Donald's and ordered a sumptuous meal for me. I like going out on this day," said Swapnil Badoni who was found celebrating the day with his parents.
However, on the other side of the spectrum, there were destitute children who have nothing to celebrate, the round of life squeezing them of all the merriment that childhood offers.
"There is hardly any special day for us. All days are similar. Spending the whole day outside the malls, selling balloons and earning Rs 60 - Rs 70 is all we do. Some people are kind enough to give us cold drinks and chips," said Ajay who was found selling his things at a mall on Rajpur Road along with his friends.
Indu Verma, who earns living as a domestic help, said she could not afford to give her children anything on the special day, save for a special meal she cooked for them.
"My kids often ask me to take them out on the Children's Day. This is because their friends in the school tell them stories about how they celebrate the day. But I cannot please my kids that way. I prepare their favorite food at home which they enjoy. I am happy too, thinking I have done something to please them with my limited means," she said.
Recalling how the day was spent earlier and how things have morphed over time, one Pratibha Mathew said the teachers of the schools used to give the students sweets. "We were so exulted getting sweets from the otherwise grim-visaged teachers who were sticklers for discipline. We did not study this day and spent it in a hilarious way along with the teachers and the parents. Now, things have changed drastically. My kids, for examples, insist to be taken for a 4D movie which has recently come up in many of the malls," said she, heaving a long sigh.