Children’s Day: Fun for some, work for the rest

NEW DELHI - While kids across the country celebrated Children’s Day with gaiety and aplomb, there were many like nine-year-old Sunil who sluggishly prepared tea and washed dishes near a railway station here, unaware of the day’s significance.

“I don’t know what is Children’s Day. For the last three years, I have been working at this chai (tea) shop to support my family. My father died some years back and I have three siblings to feed,” said Sunil, busy preparing tea.

Sunil puts in a 10-hour shift everyday to earn a meager Rs.100. For the thousands like him who roll out chapatis and scrub floors, Children’s Day — the birth anniversary of India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru — is nothing but another day of labour to support their families.

For those falling on the other side of the social divide, Children’s Day is looked forward to with much enthusiasm.

As it fell on a Sunday this year, many schools organised the customary Children’s Day function in advance.

“My school celebrated Children’s Day on Saturday and we wore civvies and not the school uniform. A cultural programme was organised at the school and we were given sweets,” said an excited Sanchita Singh, a Class 4 student.

For a group of HIV positive kids from Jaipur, the day was made special because of a trip to Delhi, organised by NGO Aasha Ki Kiran.

The kids visited Rail Museum, Nehru Planetarium and Akshardham temple.

“It was fun to know about planets, stars and constellations during the sky show at the planetarium. We are really looking forward to light and sound show at Akshardham temple,” said an enthusiastic boy.