Story Of Lost Childhood

 

It was summer day. I was little tired. The day was very hot. The winds were blowing making dust coming from open door. Someone seems peeping from rusted window. I was feeling horrified I went out from my dining room towards main gate it seems someone was gazing me constantly for hours. .might be for days, for months?? I actually got scared. I was thinking who is going to harm me?

Is it that witch in white dress living on banyan tree , the old tree? Is it the kidnappers wanted to harm me? I was very nervous. I was very fearful. So, now I need to face my fear. I made my mind and made my mind to find what really is bothering me. I went out of my house. I saw little foot prints in hot sand so who is following me? Whose foot prints were those? I remembered a child who died because of Dengue fever next to my house. I couldn’t help the child, so he might be angry with me. We use to play a lot. I use to teach him Math. So might be he wanted to question me why I couldn’t saved him. I was really sad and was feeling very low, helpless. In our society, I have seen that we are becoming selfish. I realized that we should also open our heart for others. Helping others will actually provide us happiness I followed the foot marks…oh! There stood a little boy, just behind the tree. It seems he was searching someone. There was a temple next to the tree. A big door seems inviting us to thank god for whatever we have received yet. I observed him carefully as he walked to the door. I knew that time was running out but suppressed the urge to check my watch. I took a deep breath and started counting in reverse under my breath. "Ten, nine, eight, and seven..."I followed him and finally catch him. I asked what your name is. The child was very frightened. I could see the pain on face. The child was about 13 years, with dirty hairs, having wounds on legs, painful face. I asked why you are so scared.

The child didn’t answer. I asked would you like to eat Ladoo? The child simply nodded his head. I felt bad seeing his painful face.

 The painful head was troubling me then I realized how that child is surviving in such heat. The sun was on our head. I got few Ladoos from stall in temple. The child was very happy and bliss was on his face. Where is his mistake? Who was he? What he wanted? All I was confused.

I asked him gently will you be my friend?

 He said what is friend? I was not able to answer about his question. Today friendship is just an illusion. In reality, no one cares for other. I said what he is worried for? I wanted to talk and make him comfortable.

I took him in park. We played there games. He was comfortable now. Life is not just about living for oneself. But it is also about living for other.

That child started crying. He said, he wants to go to family. Well! Who don’t want to stay with family? I said, sure why not? But what is your name. He said I am Chotu.

I was feeling very sad. I said your mother use to call? The child said, no! It is the shopkeeper use to call. He told everyone calls him with this name. I asked where you worked. He said I don’t know the place? I have just run away from those monsters. The pain on face was seen through tears in his eyes. We as citizen are against child labor. But it is only in law. Reality! It is far away from our imagination.

I asked him to explain me in detail.

He told that he don’t know much how he came from his house. But his mater use to abuse him. He uses to beat him very much. No doubt he used to give him good food, dress and money. But he used to beat him, scold him and sometimes punish him so much. I asked what makes him run away from the place. The child said he was physically abused by his shopkeeper.

 I really don’t know what to do. I went to market, got some clothes. We went to home and I asked him to take a bath with warm water. It would give him some relief from pain. The child had a bath. His face was shinning, all dust was removed from face and head. The child was happy. I got some eating stuffs. But what was my next step? What a 20 year person can do? I was a still unemployed. I was feeling sad that I couldn’t help him much. Shall I send him to any NGO? Well! I have heard from my relatives that most of Ngo are also having same people doing same harm the child.

 

I was very confused I don’t know what to do? Life is a game; just people love to watch how badly you played. What was the mistake of the child? I want to ask from society: when this will come to an end. I failed. I am shameful that I couldn’t help him much. Should I take him to police station? But that child was not willing to go there. I asked a reason. To which I got a painful and heart breaking reply.. I was scared. I couldn’t help him out in any way.

To all the members of society, I want to ask where the mistake of the child is. Don’t you think the story of the child is warning to us. But why this heartless society will care for the innocent child.

 

To best of my knowledge, I myself have seen that these young kids of age groups 7 to 15 years are working in house, office etc. I am not shocked. But this story of Chotu can be story of any of our kids, nephew and anyone.

India is growing economy. But it will be developed country when we will have heart for these little kids. If they are treated well, educated well they surely will contribute to the growth of nation.

A small kid, name Chotu was abused so many times. His face will never be forgettable.

The only solution to the problem is changing our mind set. Let us all promise that we will never employ any child. Mere taking pledge won’t work; we have to make it happen. Let us promise that we will not darken the bright future of any child. Let us make law in force and not just let it remain in law books