On the way to office from Shivajinagar, I saw them again! On the same spot, under a dirty blanket. Three of them are as young as 10 years. They are seven in the group. When I pass them, they would still be in the mood to wake up. The toddlers have worn discoloured and torn shirts and trousers. Their uncombed hair has grown so long as it looked they never had bothered about its growth. The verandah of furniture shops has turned home for the group during nights. They just sleep on the bare floor, covering with an old, torn blanket. It seems that none comes on thier way to disrupt their sleep. Or, they would sleep after the policemen's usual night patrolling. Or, there might be some 'nominal monetary adjustments'.
Is this group belongs to same family? Where have they come from? How long they have been in this metropolitan city? How do they make a living? What language they speak? How much they are able to earn a day? There are such questions that emerge suddenly from within. I have to find answers from them soon a day.
I feel sometimes ashamed of the existing systems that have been set up for child protection. Child Line is a helpline existing in the city for rehabilitating such vulnerable children. Moreover, government rescue homes have been functioning in the city. This apart, Non Government Organisations (NGOs) have opened their offices to serve them. Government officials also have responsibility to rescue such children and ensure them a secured future. There are such institutions. And money allocated. But still, children are on foot path!
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