Today is Children’s Day and various events are being conducted across the country to mark the day. But, even after more than seven decades of Independence and even in this so-called modern era, the safety of children remains a question in India. Lately, violence against children are being reported in a never-before way and some of them are most ruthless. In fact, the very idea of committing a crime against a child itself is brutal and only strong punishment would end this.
Harassment of children is not an ordinary issue. Today’s kids are the future of our nation and they cannot be subjected to harm like trafficking and sexual abuse. With some recent incidents ringing an alarm bell, stern and speedy action against wrongdoers is the need of the hour to ensure that the young ones have a peaceful, positive and progressive childhood. The government, after consulting experts in the field, should tighten the existing laws and enact new ones, if necessary, to keep child-hunters away.
Only then, the purpose of celebrating Children’s Day would be served. Otherwise, it would end up as yet another day. To quote the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, whose birthday is being celebrated as Children’s Day, “The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country. As they grow up, unfortunately, their natural freedom is often eclipsed by teaching and behaviour of elders. At school, they learn many things, which are no doubt useful, but they gradually forget that essential thing to be human and kind, playful and make life richer for ourselves and others.”