Slumdogs Vs Millionaires

Slumdog Millionaire is one more example of India’s undeniable brilliance and extraordinary talent that the world is increasingly saying 'Jai Ho'.
One can rightly appreciate the wonderfully inspiring story of a poor boy who overcomes all odds to make a million.
But the supreme irony is that ‘slumdogs’ and ‘millionaires’ still continue to coexist in the world’s largest democracy— in uncomfortably large numbers - even 62 years after independence.
It’s a pity that even today we are struggling to ensure basic rights to the children.
Their right to education, nutrition, health, shelter and protection — stands threatened and undermined.

India is a country of contrast! The country has 53 Billionaires, fourth highest in the world. But the same country has 3 million children living on the streets. Among the world’s 10 richest persons, four are Indians. On the other side, 17 million Indian children work as labourers. India’s economy is galloping around 7 % GDP growth. But also, 2 million children die before their first birthday due to lack of immunization and medical facilities! The statement "Children are the future of the nation" stops making sense, then! In fact, it sounds like an ominous prophecy.

Once I found stack on a debate,where I just need to stand and listen them. A person who had worked as a Jari worker in his childhood spoke. He talked about how he was forced to take up a job after his father fell ill. He had to work continuously for 14 hours every day. His two fingers are still deformed due to this. He talked about how they were beaten when they made even small mistakes. The other person asked him, “If it is a choice between starvation and work, isn’t it better to opt for the latter”. He said, “All I can say is that childhood happens only once in a person’s life. If that is spent in these conditions how would his adulthood be? Please give me a chance to live. This can’t be called a life.”. Then my friend asked him, “The government schools are bad and they don’t equip people for livelihood. Is it fair to force them to go school when they cannot support themselves at the end of it”. He said, “Don’t keep blaming the government. Aren’t you all the people who elect them? It is your responsibility too”. Then he again asked him, “What if your circumstances are so bad that you cannot survive without sending your children to work”. He said, “if my circumstances were that bad, I will choose not have children”
This was the turning point of the debate. After this, no one of us could give any palatable excuse for child labor. Even I am in no doubt now. “We do not have enough moral indignation to bring it to a stop. There was a village, I don't know where, there the entire village decided that even a single child of the village would not work. It is because everyone realized that it was inexcusable.”

If we the common people desired changes in the lives of such children will come only when more and more privileged people with a desire to bring changes start participating proactively in finding solutions for these children.