May Day Reflections – Innovations in Child Labor

Yesterday ,  the world celebrated the International Labor Day . I saw red  flags in some parts of the city  and some festoons and banners  announcing the day to the  general public .

While there are a number of regulations and policies at national and international level banning child labor , we find a new and very innovative way of resorting to and benefiting from child labor  thanks to the influence and great impact of the electronic media  in India  .  These are the so called song and dance shows by child artists in the garb of developing talent  – the Reality Shows .

It is now one of the High End ,  High TRP  show in the well known Hindi and regional channels to parade child artists swinging and gyrating to fast music  numbers , mostly from movies suitable for matured audience . The children , mostly below 12 years  go through the motions with gusto without any clue either on the meaning behind the lines or suggestions hidden in each movement .

Many well known companies who want to promote their consumer interests are behind this venture  and every one except the child benefits .  The child artist loses heavily in terms of his or her leisure time and get committed for long hauls of work  including rehearsals many missing their regular class work , examinations and even summer holidays . The ” proud ” parents and the sponsors walk all the way laughing to the bank !! .

It is high time the government and social organizations intervene and put an end to this shameful act which stunts a child’s growth and bring in avoidable trauma and stress in his/her life.