INDEX

Acknowledgement
I would like to express my gratitude to my professor for giving
me the opportunity toexplore the topic of child labour in India
through the lens of the book "Lost Spring." I am also thankful to
my classmates and friends for their insightful discussions and
feedback during the course of this project.
 Certificate of Completion
This is to certify that the following paper titled "Child
Labour in India (Lost Spring)"has been completed as a
requirement for the Literature & Language class. The
paper meets all the necessary academic standards and
has been submitted by the undersigned student.

Name:-
 Objective
The objective of this study is to analyze and discuss the
issue of child labour in India with a specific focus on the
book "Lost Spring" by Anees Jung. Through a critical
examination of the lives of children like Saheb and
Mukesh we aim to shed light on the harsh realities faced
by child laborers in India.
Child Labour with Reference to Lost Spring (Summary)
In "Lost Spring " Anees Jung vividly portrays the lives of
child laborers in Seemapuria slum colony in Delhi. The
book highlights the struggles dreams and loss of
childhood experienced by these children. Through the
stories of Saheb and Mukesh Jung exposes the harsh
realities of child labour in India where poverty lack of
education and societal indifference perpetuate the cycle
of exploitation.
Lives of Children like Saheb and Mukesh
Saheb and Mukesh the central characters in "Lost Spring
" represent the countlesschildren who are forced into
labor at a tender age. Saheb a skilled rag-picker dreams
of escaping the slums and pursuing an education.
However his dreams are shattered by the harshrealities
of his circumstances. Mukesh on the other hand works in
the hazardous bangle-making industry where he is
exposed to numerous health risks. Their stories serve as
a poignant reminder of the lost childhood and potential
inherent in these young lives.
Describe-Seemapuri (with pictures)

Seemapuri located on the outskirts of Delhi is a slum

colony where child labour isrampant. The living
conditions are deplorable with overcrowded shanties
lack of basic amenities and high levels of pollution. The
pictures below depict the harsh realities faced by the
children of Seemapuri living amidst squalor and
deprivation.
 Hazards of Bangle Making Industry

The process of making bangles in India involves a number of hazards

for those who work in the industry. These hazards are poignantly
portrayed in the short story "Lost Spring" by Anees Jung. The story
takes place in the town of Seemapuri, on the outskirts of Delhi, where
many people work in the bangle making industry. The hazardous
conditions in which these workers toil are vividly depicted, shedding
light on the risks they must endure in order to earn a meager living.

One of the primary hazards of bangle making is the exposure to toxic

chemicals. In "Lost Spring," the protagonist, Saheb, works in a bangle
making unit where he is constantly exposed to harmful chemicals such
as lead, cobalt, and cadmium. These chemicals are used in the
coloration of the bangles, and the workers often handle them without
any protective gear. Prolonged exposure to these toxic substances can
lead to serious health issues such as respiratory problems, skin
diseases, and even neurological disorders.

Another hazard of bangle making is the constant exposure to heat and

dust. The work environment in bangle making units is often cramped
and poorly ventilated, leading to high temperatures and the
accumulation of dust particles. This can result in respiratory problems,
eye irritation, and heat-related illnesses. In "Lost Spring," Saheb's
mother suffers from severe respiratory issues due to the constant
inhalation of dust and fumes in the bangle making unit where she
works.

In conclusion, the hazards of bangle making are numerous and severe.

The workers in this industry are exposed to toxic chemicals, heat, dust,
and physical strain on a daily basis. The emotional toll of working in
such conditions is also significant. "Lost Spring" sheds light on the
harsh reality of bangle making in India and serves as a reminder of the
urgent need to improve the working conditions and protect the rights
of those who work in this industry.
 Initiative against Child Labour by Indian
Government and Various NGOs
The Indian government and various NGOs have implemented
several initiatives to combat child labor, including:

Legislation:
The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986 regulates the work of children and
prohibits them from working in hazardous occupations. The Right to Education (RTE) Act of
2009 aims to reduce the dropout rate by making education a fundamental right for children
aged 6-14

National Child Labour Project (NCLP):

This scheme was initiated in 1988 to rehabilitate children working in child labor endemic
districts. The NCLP focuses on identifying, rehabilitating, and mainstreaming children into
formal education.

National Policy on Child Labour:

This policy focuses on rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and
processes. It also prescribes the need to focus on general development programs for the
families of child laborers

 NGOs:
NGOs such as Care India, Child Rights and You, and Global March against Child
Labour combat child labor through education and accessibility to resources.
 Child labor free zones (CLFZs):
 The Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Foundation (MVFoundation) introduced the concept
of CLFZs in 1992. A CLFZ is a defined area where everyone is convinced that "No
child should be working, every child should be in school!".

 Education:
Investing in quality accessible education is key to eliminating child labor. Providing
adequate scholarships or school meals contributes to reducing children's work.

The Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act

1986
INTRODUCTION
Employment of children below 14 and 15 years in
certain prohibited employments have been
prohibited by various Acts but there is no
procedure laid down in any law for deciding in
which employments, occupations or processes the
employment of children should be banned. There is
also no law to regulate the working conditions of
children in most of the employments where they
are not prohibited from working and are working
under exploitative conditions. Accordingly it was
decided to enact a comprehensive law on the
subject. To achieve this objective the Child Labour
(Prohibition and Regulation) Bill was introduced in
the Parliament.
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
There are a number of Acts which prohibit the
employment of children below 14 years and 15
years in certain specified employments. However,
there is no procedure laid down in any law for
deciding in which employments, occupations or
processes the employment of children should be
banned. There is also no law to regulate the
working conditions of children in most of the
employments where they are not prohibited from
working and are working under exploitative
conditions.
2. This Bill intends to-
(i) ban the employment of children, i.e., those who
have not completed their fourteenth year, in
specified occupations and processes;
(ii) lay down a procedure to decide modifications to
the Schedule of banned occupations or processes;
(iii) regulate the conditions of work of children in
employments where they are not, prohibited from
working;
(iv) lay down enhanced penalties for employment
of children in violation of the provisions of this Act,
and other Acts which forbid the employment of
children;
(v) to obtain uniformity in the definition of "child" in
the related laws.
3. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objects.
 Ways to Eliminate Child Labour.
There are many ways to eliminate child labor, including:
 Support child rights
Mobilize communities, families, employers, and school teachers to support child
rights.
 Universalize education
Make education free and compulsory up to age 18. This includes:
 Ensuring universal access to quality education
 Preventing school dropout
 Integrating current child laborers into school
 Providing nutritious meals to support school attendance
 Providing scholarships to support continued education
 Expand social protection programs
Provide unconditional cash transfers to vulnerable families. This can help ease budget
constraints and supplement incomes.
 Raise awareness
Spread the word on social media about the importance of girls completing their
education.
 Buy from ethical sources
Buy from farmer's markets, Community Supported Agriculture, and U-Pick farms.
 Partner with the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC)
IPEC is the largest program of its kind globally, with operations in 88 countries.
Other ways to eliminate child labor include:
 Reviewing national laws regarding child labor
 Identifying hazardous work
 Carrying out workplace risk assessment
 Removing children from hazardous work
 Reducing the hours for children
 Applying a safety and health management system

BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Jung Anees. "Lost Spring."
- Government of India. "Child Labour (Prohibition and
Regulation) Act 1986."
- Bachpan Bachao Andolan. "About Us."
(https://www.bba.org.in/about-us)

- Save the Children India. "Our Work."

(https://www.savethechildren.in/our-work)