How to Protect Sacred Souls

From the very beginning of this topic we should have a clear idea about what child right is. According to “Child Right and You”, known as CRY, child rights are fundamental freedom and inherent right of all human beings bellow the age of 18. These rights apply to every children across the globe irrespective of race, status, creed, colour, religion, sex and even race of guardian(s).

Now, the first question comes that who are children? The 12 years old boy who polish the shoes of school goers, is he a child? Is that guy is a child who makes beedi for his previous generation to feed his family? Surprisingly they are, and we have given them the “degree” of a “professional hard worker” (or trainee), snatching them the opportunity to enjoy an adequate standard of living. Although, the answer of this simple question have aroused lot of confusion, contradiction and complications but according to United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child defines a child as an individual who has not attained the age of 18. Other legal definitions also refers to a minor as a child, otherwise younger than the age of minority. And the minors don’t have the sense and authority to keep them maintained. They are innocent having no power of taking the right decision due to the lack of experiences and this causes the immense exploitation of child. In order to preserve the most beautiful and memorable stage of life, childhood, we must have to fulfil their rights.

As history shows the path to present and future, we are going to shift our focus to the history of child right. At the very beginning before 16-17^th century the children were treated as the miniature form of an adult, and from 16-17^th century they were treated as a normal human being who need a special care, adult protection and nourishment. Differences in paintings of these things reflects these facts. In 19^th century France proposed to afford some extra care and protection to the children in different aspects and this kind of protection was spread over Europe in 20^th century. In 1924 League of Nations adopted Declaration of the Rights of the Child, First International Treaty concerning child Right. And it said about the fundamental rights of a child and responsibilities of adults. In 1958 Declaration for rights of the Child was adopted by General Assembly of UN. And gradually many rules and laws were passed and many NGOs worked on this topic and worked against many problems like education, health, protection, exploitation, survival etc.

    Cry worked on child right and broadly stated four basic rights of a child and those are-

I)                    Survival-Right to Survival ensures healthy life to a child. Where he/she will get nutrition, healthy food, proper medication and etc.

II)                  Development- Right to development is to provide a child leisure, education recreation and etc. to explore him/her full potential

III)                Protection- Right to protection entails that the children will be protected from any kind of abuse, exploitation and physical or mental harmful influences.

IV)               Participation- Tis is the right where a child is involved in taking his/her own decision and has the freedom to express and explain independent thoughts.

Although there are many rules many definitions many articles, blogs are written on this topic, but most of the proposals, acts, laws are in words only, the transformation to act from word is remaining undone as usual. The skinny boy on platform is raising his hand languidly to you, all the unprivileged children of your city, of your country, of this earth are raising their hands, grab it! They need you now, as you need them in future.  

Swetkketu Banerjee