he way Mr. Prime

Minister talks about

Make in India and Skill India,

why doesnt he talk about

children in India in his budget.

Although, there are many

plans and schemes started by

the government for children,

yet government is only

spending 4.52% part of their

budget on chi ldren to

implement them properly.

Children feel very sad that

they are not able to get a right

fit in this governments union

budget, their politics, their

money and in their priorities.

Government has just given

5% of their total budget to

children who constitute 40%

of the total population.

As compared to last year,

government has cut down the

budget to 55% to be given to

Ministry of Women and Child

Development and Integrated

Child Protection Scheme

(ICPS) which is also called the

flagship of Ministry of

W o m e n a n d C h i l d

Development. This scheme

provides food, education,

health and other basic

facilities to children and

g o v e r n m e n t h a s s t i l l

d e c r e a s e d i t s b u d g e t

allocation by 54.19%.

When Balaknama

advisor Shanno talked about

this important issue with

children, they put forward

their viewpoints on this topic.

National Secretary of Badhte

K a d a m C h a n d n i h a s

expressed her disappointment

that our respected Prime

Minster and Finance Minister

talks big about our children

but when it comes to spending

m o n e y f o r t h e c h i l d

development schemes they

dont even have enough

money in their budget to

implement the schemes

completely.

District Secretary of

Badhte Kadam Saurav told

that when he visited a

government school in Noida,

the situation was very bad.

There was no fac i l i ty

available to the students. No

teacher comes to the school to

t e a c h t h e s t u d e n t s .

Government should have paid

special attention to the budget

for education. Government

should have provided enough

money for the arrangement of

high teaching system in

government schools.

Chandan, Leader of

Badhte Kadam told that

children dont even get

e n o u g h m e d i c i n e s a t

government primary health

centers and most of the time

we have to buy medicines

from external medical store.

Government should have at

least paid attention to our

health facilities. There are so

many such children who fail

to get treatment due to lack of

proper medical facilities.

Shabbo, Member of

Badhte Kadam told that the

mid day meal which is

provided to the children in

schools is very bad and the

amount given is also not

enough. Many a times we

dont feel like to eat such food

but due to hunger we have to

ea t the food fo rc ib ly.

Government should have at

least paid attention to this mid

day meal budget so that the

quality of mid day meal could

be improved and children

could have got nutritious diet.

So by the discussion it was

proved that children are very

unhappy by this budget and

t h e y h a d s o m a n y

expectations with this new

Dear Friends,Here we are presenting

y o u w i t h B a l a k n a m a Newspaper of Street and Working Children again. Friends, this time street and working children of Badhte Kadam organization has talked about their views on this times budget for children. Along with it, children have tried to present the problems of street and working children through their newspaper.

Through this newspaper we want that you all also take the problems of street and working children seriously and try to solve their problems. Till the time we all together dont speak against child labor, child exploitation, female feticides, domestic violence etc, we cannot construct a safe society for children.

So come forward and help our organization to construct a safe environment for children.

-Editorial Team

Government. But children

are very sad and disappointed

by the budget for children

presented by the government.

-Shanno (19 Years)

April-May-2015Price : Rs. 2-00

World's First News Paper for and by Street and Working Children EDITORIAL

BALAKNAMA

BADHTE KADAM

31, Basement,

Gautam Nagar

New Delhi -110049

(INDIA)

Phone: 011-41644470

Contact Address:

WHY GOVERNMENT DIDNT GO FOR CHILDREN

IN INDIA IN BUDGET: KNOW CHILDRENS VIEW

T

balaknamaeditor@gmail.com

with it children of different institutions and organizations also took part in this Program. Program was started by singing welcome song by child partners to welcome the chief guests. During the Program, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights told that they have dedicated this whole year for the protection of children who comes in contact with railway. They told that they will work for those children who are unsafe and deprived of their rights; they will work for their education and for their revival. They have included 20 major

Decided by Indian Railway Board in context

of safety of children living on 20 railway stations

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), on their eighth foundation day celebration has decided to dedicate this year for protection of rights of unsafe children who comes in contact with railway. As a token of this, NCPCR organized its Program

th

on 5 of March at Vigyan Bhavan. Chief guests- Smt Maneka Gandhi (Minister of W o m e n a n d C h i l d Development), Mr. Aseem Shr iva s t ava (Sec re t a ry, NCPCR), Mr. Pradeep Kumar (Member, Railway Board), Mr. P.C. Rawal (Director General, Railway Force) etc. were present for this Program. Along

Since very long time news expert parrot and mynah were searching for a piece of news. Only then flying mynah comes and sits on the branch of tree. Parrot - Hey Mynah!! I think finally you got some news. Tell me, what is the news? It has been very long to have heard of good news. Mynah - You know what parrot, I have got a very big news this time. Parrot - Yes Mynah!! I could understand the moment I saw you, but now dont wait, tell fast what is the news? I am getting restless to hear the news, tell fast Mynah - You know what parrot, children are very angry by the budget for children which has been presented by the Government. Parrot - Why Myna..? Why so..? Has government not given enough money for children schemes? Mynah No Parrot.. This i s a c t u a l l y s a d t h a t government has paid more a t t e n t i o n t o w a r d s

Infrastructure, Agriculture and Defence rather than towards children schemes Parrot Then lets go mynah..lets go.. we should talk about this with our child members and try to know their views. Mynah Yes yes Parrot lets go.. Parrot (Flying flying reaches to Karol Baghs children) Children told that if government would have paid attention towards us, made a good budget for us and provided us with better facilities then we would have also got the benefit of good teachers and good education.

Mynah Yes Parrot... when I spoke with kids living in slum areas, they told that getting a new scheme for us by the government is a far cry rather they have not even thought about us. Only we know how we are able to live here.. We thought that government would certainly do some th ing fo r ou r relocation but they have disappointed us by deduction in our budget. Parrot- Yes Mynah, when we spoke to Badhte Kadam organizations teenager girls they told that government has not performed any of their responsibility towards safety of girls and there is not even a scheme by which we can feel that we are safe in the society. Mynah- Yes Parrot, this is actually very sad that our country has a large number of children and according to that the budget number is very low.. By saying this news experts Parrot and Mynah flew for their second news.

Children angry by neglection of children in the budget

Continued on pg.5

DIALOGUE BETWEEN PARROT AND MYNAH

THIS YEAR DEDICATED TO

CHILDREN OF RAILWAY PLATFORMS

B a l a n a m a i s w r i t t e n

originally in Hindi by

children reporters. This is

translated version of Hindi

and translation assistance is

taken from adult ensuring

the original feel intact.

BALAKNAMA 2

children get involved in narcotics, theft and other bad habits. Due to family financial problems their parents also find it right to get them working rather getting them educated. Still now these parents discriminate among boy and girl. These children are still sold due to child trade and become victims of exploitation. Child marriage has not been stopped completely due to which these girls are married to elder aged boys. Children living on footpath, railway stations and slums are also victims of natural calamities. After listening to all the above problems by teenage participants, national secretary of Badhte Kadam Chandni said till the time we are not aware of our rights, neither we can help ourselves nor others. So first of all we need to be aware of our rights and organization will have strong leaders who will understand our problems and will help us to solve them then our situation can improve. Apart from this trainers told them about leadership qualities. During workshop various competitions, plays and entertainment Programs were also organized to enhance the inner talent and increase the knowledge of teenage participants. All participants expressed their feelings by collage making.. character..picture writing etc. Various colorful Programs and games were also organized by trainers for capacity building of the participants. All street and working children said that they learnt some very good things during this workshop which they will always remember and will apply them in their day to day activities.

-Aazad Ali (18 Years)

Schemes/policies related to homeless and

working children should reach them for their

relocation.

Participation of children will be ensured in the

meetings related to them.

Participation in atleast ten street and working

childrens meetings and providing solution to

their problems in next 5 years.

Action to be taken against who keeps child as a

labor.

Organizations district secretary of Delhi, 15years

40 street and working children working in Lajpat

Nagar spent their whole day with policemen of Lajpat

Nagar Police station during ongoing Delhi Police week.

On this day all children met the policemen of Lajpat

Nagar police station, sang songs, danced and presented

play and through painting they conveyed what kind of

police they wish. They are associated with Sapno ki

Dunia centre carried out by CHETNA organization in

Lajpat Nagar Market with the help of lajpat nagar market

association and Delhi police. 12 year old Mehruni (name

changed) who begs and sell rattles in lajapat nagar

market said I am very happy that street and working

children presented themselves with the help of dance and

I am happy that is also took part in this Program. 15 year

old Lallan (name changed) who sells laces of shoes said,

through my painting I presented a picture of a

policeman who is looking after a child living on the road

whom the policeman does not let go near the lake

because he may fall into it. I have experienced this love

and affection by policemen when we used to visit police

station during activities conducted by our centre.

15 year old Saugat (name changed) working on a tea

stall in lajpat nagar market said, I also took part in this

P r o g r a m a n d

e v e r y o n e

w e l c o m e d a l l

children because of

which I am very

h a p p y . I

experienced a very

good time today.

S.H.O of Delhi

p o l i c e , L a j p a t

Nagar Sh. Ramesh Kumar said, We are committed

towards the safety of street and working children. He

said that through this Program our aim was to evaluate

childrens view about police Programs, make street

and working children aware about their own rights and

to bring harmony between them and police

department. Director of CHETNA organization Sh.

Sanjay Gupta said,Delhi police has invented various

different schemes addressing the problems of street

and working children. For this we need more Programs

and opportunities.

-Aakash (15 Years)

old Vikas said that since Mr. Arvind Kejriwal has

achieved a different identity in countrys politics and

he has come to work in the form of a common man

because of which we all children also want to meet this

Chief Minister and want to explain him about our

problems after meeting him. So through this letter we

have asked him the time to meet and we expect that he

will surely give time to meet us.

Street and working children have many

expectations from the new government and I hope that

this government will also give preference to the issues

of children and will take the right step-said Mr. Sanjay

Gupta, Director of CHETNA and facilitator of Badhte

Kadam.

-Vikas (16 Years)

STREET AND WORKING CHILDREN SENT THEIR FIRST LETTER TO

DELHIS CHIEF MINISTER ASKING FOR TIME TO MEET THEM

treet and working children also see many dreams and want to convert them into reality. But to fulfill their dreams they have to face many difficulties like police, society, poverty,

illiteracy, superstition, backwardness, etc. In this situation how children can fulfill their dreams and what can be the solution to these problems, to discuss about all this Badhte Kadam Organization organized a capacity building workshop for street and working children. This four day capacity building workshop was organized at Indira Gandhi Holiday Home for

th th

Children of Damdama from 20 to 24 March. Present situation of street and working children, their dreams, and elements that are creating interruption in achieving these dreams were discussed in this workshop. 35 street and working children from various different places (Delhi, Agra, Mathura, Jhansi and Gwalior) took part in this discussion. They presented their views on all above said issues during this workshop.

After discussion by the participants following main things emerged in front about the present situation of street and working children, most of these children pick garbage at railway stations or they beg at bus stands, temples, dargah, railway station, footpaths, etc. Because of this they are deprived of education and are not able to go to school to study. Till

As you all know that idea comprehension of children is very different. What should be there for children and how it should be, this all is best known by them only because according to them the comprehending capability which they have is the best. They can succeed in giving their life a better turn if government can ensure child participation according to children and discuss their issues. In our country numbers of street and working children are increasing and government know the reason for this increase. Due to distress and poverty these children are forced to live on roads. Our government always says that they are working for the welfare of children and making many laws for them but this is all confined to the papers and lakhs and crores children are deprived of benefits. Because their child participation is still not ensured

now also these children are victims of child labor because of which they are still seen working at dhabas, factories, tea shops, houses, etc. These children do not want to work but they are helpless. These children are not aware of their rights. They dont even get money in return of their work because shopkeeper gets the work done from them but at the time of giving them wage they cheat considering them children. There is lack of eating, drinking and living facilities for these children because of whom these

S

Street and

working children

of Badhte Kadam

organization sent

their first letter to

Delhis Chief

M i n i s t e r S h

Arvind Kejriwal.

All street and

working children

congratulated Sh

Arvind Kejriwal

o n b e c o m i n g

capital Delhis

Chief Minister at 12o clock. After this children wrote

a letter containing all their problems and faxed it to

Chief Ministers office at 12:20pm. They sent the

message through this letter to Chief Minister that they

should include problems of street and working

children also in their agenda.

National Secretary of the sole organization for

street and working children Badhte Kadam, Chandni

told that earlier also we tried making them aware of the

problems of street and working children through a th

letter on 28 December, 2013 after Mr. Arvind

Kejriwal took oath. But he could not provide solutions

to our problems due to handling of the position for a

very less time. But this time we have many

expectations and we all wish that he handles his

incumbency of Chief Minister successfully and

provide the solutions to our problems as soon as

possible.

District Chairman of Badhte Kadam organization,

14years old Jyoti told that through this letter we have

kept five demands before the new government. Our

following five demands are:-

You will get presence and identity of street

and working children recognized in the eyes

of law.

WEST DELHI

views to all children of the country. Friends name of this group is Children Advisory Board, it was started first with only 19 children in which there were two children associated from Badhte Kadam- Chandni and Deepak. They live in West Delhi. They also want the p r o b l e m s o f t h e i r organizations children to reach the government and higher authorities so that our situation improves and number of children living on roads also decreases and they also get opportunity to come forward. Other child partners have also joined this group. Now the good news is that the episode of Children Advisory Board is aired on 102 FM and member of Badhte Kadam Chandni is the anchor of the show. Listen to all issues of children on this show and give your views too.

-Chandni (15 Years)

CHILD PARTICIPATION IS ALSO NECESSARYproperly. If actually the government is working for children then why are they living on roads and working? Why are they deprived of education? Why are they homeless? Why is poverty increasing day by day? If we talk about what is the reason behind this? Children are not aware about what child participation is. They are given very little chance to share their views in any meeting or Program. Keeping this in view, children have decided to form a group and in that group of children their views will be asked on their issues and child participation will be ensured. Specialty of this group is that any child can join it. That child can be the one who lives on road or the one who lives in proper house. And along with it this group is also making aware other children by different mediums like doing a play or taking out a rally or by help of radio Program and telling their

STREET AND WORKING CHILDREN SPENT THEIR WHOLE DAY WITH LAJPAT NAGAR POLICE

Learnt leadership qualities and became aware about their rights through games

52nd CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP ORGANIZED IN DAMDAMA

BALAKNAMA 3

s you all know that intoxicating substances

can easily be fetched from nearby places. At

these places shopkeepers sell these

intoxicating substances without any fear, which can

be easily sold and they get buyers also easily for

them. Person loses its mental stability after

consuming such intoxicating substances and the

person involved in such intoxication beat their

children back at home. Not only this they also get

involved in teasing and indecent behavior under

influence of such substances.

We spoke to 12 years old Shyam (name

changed) who is the leader of Badhte Kadam and

lives in Badarpur on this topic. He told that when

elder people consume these substances they behave

very badly with children whether they are their own

or anybody elses. First they teach these children

about intoxication and then they ask those children

12 years old Sagar (name changed) told that he has been

living in Delhi since last three years. When he came to Delhi, he

had a keen interest to study but the place where he lived there the

children used to work and were involved in theft. Seeing those

children everyday Sagar also started going to those children and

soon those children became Sagars friends and like this he also

entered their theft gang.

Sagar told that he used to for carrying out theft with

them. Gradually he learnt to get intoxicated also with those

children. He told that there is a group of elder people at his place

who drink liquor a lot and because of this our parents also come

home drunk and ask their children to do theft activities. So that

these children can run home on their own. So here children have

formed a group to earn money due to their parents, in which they

plan for carrying out theft activities. In this group child of around

14 to 16 years of age do planning and then they get small children

in their group and they take those children along with them to

teach theft activities.

After this when these children learn about burglary then

they go and carry out theft. From that they give have the money to

those children who taught them about theft. Like this these

children are prepared well for carrying out the theft. Those

children who join this gang are mostly of the age of 12-14 years,

like this the capacity of children to carry out theft is increasing day

by day.

After this Aman also told that he was also member of the

gang earlier and like this he also learnt to carry out theft but when I

came in contact with Badhte Kadam and became his leader then

only I could realize how big crime is doing theft and I was getting

trapped in such a marsh from where it was very difficult to come

out. But when I got to know about Police and law from Badhte

Kadam, I decided to quit theft and I will only study so that my

future could be brightened and I can become a good citizen.

-Jyoti (15 Years)

to do unlawful activities like selling liquor and

getting into burglary.

He told that there are approximately 20 such

children who drink liquor and sell them and disturb

other children. They do wrong actions with these

children. They threaten these kids by attacking with

blade. Their parents also do not scold them for this.

These small kids along with elder boys do

hooliganism and use abusive language.

All these kids go with elder boys for doing theft

activities in buses. When we try to explain them then

they beat us also. So now we also do not say

anything to these children and now these children

are gradually getting involved in criminal activities.

Elder people teach theft activities to children

and then using them as shield they get liquor sold by

these children by giving them greed of few money or

intoxication. If any of the child or the older person

gets caught then they run after attacking them with

the blade and police also does not do anything there.

Policemen themselves come and buy that liquor.

Here the situation is very pathetic. Here children are

involved in child labor and criminal activities in a

larger amount. They start plying rickshaws from a

very young age.

We children want that such kind of people

should be punished and police should supervise

these children in each and every community and any

person who is getting children entrapped in this and

getting liquor sold should be caught. If Delhi Police

and the government do not ensure our safety then

each step of every kid will get entrapped in the evil

things and children will not be able to come out of

this marsh. More work should be done for those

children who commit crime and status of such kids

should be improved so that steps moving towards

crime could be stopped.-Gagan (13 Years)

13 years old Chandu who lives in Tughlakabad with his parents and he do the work of picking up garbage. After coming in contact with Badhte Kadam he became leader of the contact point and after becoming leader he got an opportunity to attend the four day workshop conducted by Badhte Kadam. He was very happy on reaching Holiday Home for Childrens camp where he did friendship with other children. He also got an opportunity to play some new games which made him very happy. Next day, Chandu participated on first day of the workshop and enlightened the things and problems of children. He told that children who pick garbage face many troubles because mostly children who pick garbage have to face many problems and have to sacrifice many things because these children wearing dirty clothes on their body and with bag of junk in their hands remain engaged in their work the whole day.

People hate them looking at their dirty clothes. These children are shunned away because of which they do not get any opportunity to move or roam around which lowers down the morale of children. They think that they cannot go ahead now in life. Because of which most of the children do not want to come out of this life. Chandu put light on these problems during the workshop and discussed about them. In this workshop Chandu got to know about many things related to children and he also got to know about four rights of children. When he returned back to his home, he started putting forward the problems of children in meeting so that problems of other children could be reduced and solved. Chandu also made parents of other children aware about their problems and motivated children to study and like this Chandu also stopped picking up the garbage slowly and gradually. Along with Chandu, his father has also stopped picking up garbage. Chandus father now works as a guard and Chandu has promised to complete his studies.

-Chandu (14 Years)

No knowledge, no

values, begging for money,

counting money in place of

solving math problems,

selling gram on English

book in place of reading it,

calling out names of their

things in place of calling

out A for Apple, B for Ball,

bowl in hands in place of

books, bag of garbage on

their back in place of

school bag, holding broom

in place of pen in those

small hands, showing

stunts at different places,

working at some shop or

hotel our countrys future is

seen in danger.

Outside metro stations,

on roads we see so many

small children begging

money for having food in

place of filling colors in

books.

Small children are

made medium to earn

money.

The saddest part is that

today also there are people

who do not come forward

to help these kids.

They think spending

thousands of money on

parties, clubs, and bars are

right in spite of giving to

these children.

In India child labor is

still practiced at a larger

scale. When a common

man sees a child working

he says two words against

India but has he ever asked

himself that has he given

support to any child

holding his hand in the

society.

May be when this

question arises one day that

day child labor could be

stopped.

Two hands can make

a life, Lend a hand Save a

Life

-Preeti (14 Years)

CHILDHOOD GETTING ENTANGLED IN

THE MARSH OF INTOXICATION AND CRIME

SOUTH DELHI

LEAVING BEHIND CHILD LABOR

TOOK STEP TOWARDS EDUCATION

AND THEY CAME OUT FROM

THE CLUTCHES OF CRIME TWO SMALL HANDS

A

BALAKNAMA

problems from our mind. Whenever a person gets involved in a game, he forgets all his problems and remains happy. So Badhte Kadam, the organization of street and working c h i l d r e n p r o v i d e s v a r i o u s

o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o children to play games.

This is working for bringing change in those children who work; spend their life on roads and children who are entrapped in the habit of intoxication, taking out whom is i m p o s s i b l e f r o m intoxication. Like these children some got opportunity to celebrate sports day with the help of the organization. This Childrens day, Boys and girls got equal opportunity by Badhte K a d a m . I n t h i s competition around 50

home. After listening to him Vikram asked him why

he beats up his own son and drinks liquor. Vikram

explained him very well and called his son to meet

his father. Vishals father was very embarrassed

after listening to Vikram and seeing his rationality in

such a younger age. After this he said he will never

beat his child now and will look after him fully.

Along with this he will also send him to school to

study.

This way Vikram did a very good work by

sending his friend back to his home and also

associated him with his education and as well as

stopped him from being a laborer. Promising leader

of Badhte Kadam, by helping Vishal, also gave a

bigger message to other parents for being sensitive

towards their children and talk with them

affectionately and do not do any such thing which

keep their children away from their parents.

-Vikram (14 Years)

people and children were weeping badly,

describing their problems and their situation was

very bad on seeing their things getting burned.

Eyes of children and parents could see only ashes.

Everything got converted into coal.

When Badhte Kadams National Secretary

and Leader got to know about this, they went there

and spoke to them. After meeting them they got to

know that children are hungry and their every

belonging got burnt in the fire. After knowing this

Members of Badhte Kadam made arrangement of

food for these children and packets of biscuits

were provided to children. All children were very

sad. They told that their homes have turned into

ashes. Where we will live and what we will do

now. Saurav told children explaining them that

they need not have to worry. We all are with you.

District Secretary of Noida, Saurav distributed

blankets to children with the help of Badhte

Kadam and CHETNA which they can use for

covering as well as for laying on them. They

distributed shoes for children, slippers and caps to

wear along with the blankets. Organization

provided them with mats and tarpaulin so that they

are able to live. After this people living nearby in

Sarfabad also made arrangement for them to live.

They constructed a tent for all people to stay there

safely. People and children whose houses were

burnt to ashes in this mishappening were given

cheque of Rs.5000 only by the Government.

-Saurav (15 Years)

12 years old Vishal who used to live with his

parents in Salarpur and earlier he used to study in

class second in a private school. But he left his

school because his Vishals father used to drink

liquor and after getting drunk he used to beat Vishal

a lot. So Vishal ran from his home in Salarpur and

came to sector-82 and became friend with 12 years

old Vikram after coming here.

Vikram lives with his parents in Noida

Sector-82 and he is the promising leader of Badhte

Kadam. Vikram goes to study everyday and along

with studying he also go with his father to vegetable

mart to sell vegetables. Vikram tracked about his

friend and explained him. After that Vikram used to

bring his friend Vishal also to the contact point to

study. Vikram kept his friend in his own home for

some time and after few days Vishals father came to

Vikrams home searching him. He explained about

his child and told he wants to take him back to their

People and children have to face many

troubles due to sudden calamity. Many houses are

ruined due to this. They are victimized sometimes

due to earthquake, sometime due to flood and

sometimes due to sudden fall of walls of houses.

Along with parents children also have to face

many problems.

Like this only few day back a calamity was

faced by people living in 100 slums in Noida

Sector-73. Here suddenly fire occurred due to

short circuit because of which all parents and

children became homeless. Fire was so ferocious

that their all the things were destroyed. They were

not left with any food item to eat and drink and no

clothe was left to wear. Situation was so horrible

that they were not left with any bed and no place to

live. Suffering from this calamity, old, elder

ou all know that the role which sport play in our life is very interesting. Because game is that medium which

help us to forget our problems and the easiest way to keep away the

In our community, people are associated with

different cultures and customs. Some people are

sensitive towards children. They talk to them very

affectionately. But some people neglect children

and dont listen to their troubles and problems.

They make them work in their houses by giving

them less money. They know very well that

making children work is a criminal offence. But

still people make children work despite knowing

that he is a child and children should not be made

to work more.

13 years old Reena (name changed) who

lives in Sector-24 with her parents. Her parents go

and work in a bungalow. As financial situation of

Reenas house is not good so her mother had got

her to work in another bungalow. Reena goes to

the bungalow at 6o clock in the morning to work

where she does cleaning of the house and utensils.

She returns back at 5o clock in the evening after

completing the whole work. Despite all the work

she gets only Rs.1500 per month. Few days back

when Reena went to work then her bungalows

owner told Reena that somebody has stolen her

childs toy and the bungalows owner blamed

Reena for stealing the toy. But Reena told that she

has not stolen the toy. But her owner did not listen

to her and she went on to search Reenas home.

But she did not get any toy at Reenas home. After

seeing all this Reena started crying but her

bungalows owner still did not believe her and she

threatened her that if she did not return her childs

toy then she will give her name to the police. After

this, out of fear Reena left her work. She did not

say anything to her owner because she had fear

that if she would say anything then she and her

mother will not get work anywhere by which their

homes expenditure is carried out. Due to this

fear, Reena did not take any step for her. But now

she is member of Badhte Kadam and can raise her

voice. Now she can fight for her right on her own.

Because after getting associated with Badhte

Kadam she has started studying and study has

more power. Because education is treasure of

knowledge for children and elder people. So

Reena says that every child should get educated

because we children are facing one or the other

problems and we do not have anybody to help us.

If we will read and write then we will be able to

help ourselves. So every child should study and

move forward to enlighten their lives.

-Saurav (15 Years)

HATS OFF TO THE SPIRIT OF SMALL CHILD

FIRE BY SHORT CIRCUIT IN NOIDA

SECTOR-73: 100 SLUM CHILDREN HOMELESS

got bountiful opportunity to play also, after which they were very happy.

-Saurav (15 Years)

children took part from Noida Sector-73 and Sector-52.

First of all two different teams were made comprising of children. After this children chose their team members for playing cricket match. This way children made two teams named A and B. Only 7 overs were kept in this match and team B played their innings by batting first and completed first over by 14 year old Shariful playing on the ground who made three runs in one over. In next moment 13 years old Golu flew the second ball in air after completion of first over.

This way team B made the game interesting by scoring 19 runs in 7 overs. After them team A came on the ground for batting and team A also showed well and in 7 overs after a good hard work achieved the victory and defeated the other team. During this game high amount of energy was generated among children. Along with it they

CHILD PARTNERS OF NOIDA CELEBRATED SPORTS DAY

NOIDA

EDUCATION IS ALSO IMPORTANT

ALONG WITH WORK

4

Y

BALAKNAMA

oday also daughters are considered burden

and there is discrimination among boys or

girls in our country. This is very worrisome

subject that in our country that girl is losing identity

who gives birth to boys. Today the world has

reached from where to where but our mentality

towards a girl has not changed. Keeping this in

mind our Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi also

started with Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign on nd

22 March and appealed to people that they let their

daughters study, let them come forward because

these daughters are dignity of our Nation.

This decreasing expectancy of girls as

compared to boys in our country is really a state of

womb. Lado said that this is very proud thing to say

that our organization is also led by a girl.

On this occasion 16 year old Badhte

Kadam organizations Chandni said we girls should

be proud of ourselves because we only play a role of

a mother, a daughter, a sister and a wife. We girls

should also be given the same rights as boys and

there should be no kind of discrimination with us.

So we all should respect our girls and should let

them come forward, study and give them the

opportunity to fulfill their dream.

-Pooja (15 Years)

the morning and stay in

centre till 6 in the

evening.

With the efforts of

CHETNA institution

Monu has got her

Aadhar card made

which has given her

own identity and she is

very happy on getting this identity. Along with it

Monu has got a bank account with the help of this

identity.

Monu still aslo takes part in all the activities of

the centre. After returning back from the centre

whatever work Monu does and the money which she

get from it she deposit it in the account. This way she

will be able to get help later in life by the deposited

money and the good thing is that till now Monu has

Rs.1000 in her account. She is very happy by this

thing. Now she will not have to beg in front of

anybody whenever she needs money. Now she

herself with her money will be able to take care of

her and her familys needs.

-Pooja (15 Years)

Girl Monu lives on station and does begging. Her

mothers name is Usha. Mother is wage laborer. She

has two brothers. One brother works in marriage

parties whose age is 16 years old. Monu has three

sisters and they all also do begging on station. By

this whatever money they earn, they give it to her

mother back home, by which the expenditure of

their home is carried out.

As her both the brothers stay separately and

they do not give any money to handle homes

expenditure. Due to begging on station daughters

are the only support of their mother. While begging

on the station Monu met Chairman of Badhte

Kadam and he spoke to me. He gave me all

knowledge regarding the centre which is being run

for those children who live or work on stations. At

these centers, along with education these children

are also taught to read and study with the help of

other activities.

Monu started going to this centre after knowing

about it and started taking part in the activities

conducted there. There was so much of change in

Monu after getting associated with the centre that

she left begging and started going to centre at 10 in

and protection of children will help in stopping children from coming in contact with railway now. Along with it they will be given full protection, by which some of their problems will be solved and some children will be saved from drug addiction. We will be able to change lives of many children by dedicating this year towards children. If work would actually be done for children then children will be able to achieve a successful position for themselves.

-Chandan (14 Years)

better life leaving b e h i n d t h e stations life.

This way these chi ldren l e a r n t a n d understood about many things at workshop. This is the reason that they are trying to come out of this life now and want to become a better human being.

-Pooja (15 Years)

worry. Keeping all these things in mind, Street and

working children of Badhte Kadam Organization

organized a rally in Mathura on National Girl Child

Day. District Probation Officer Sh Om Prakash

Yadav giving green signal to this rally increased the

motivation of children. All these children took out

this rally from D.P.O Office; Collectorate crossing

to C.M.O office carrying the placards of slogans

like daughter is countrys dignity, stop female

foeticide, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao etc. in their

hands. Approximately around 150 children of the

organization took part in this rally. Deputy C.M.O

Dr. Devendra appreciated all the members of

Badhte Kadam for this effort.

Raising the slogan of Save Daughters, 15

year old District Secretary of Badhte Kadam

Organization Tulsi made people aware that girls are

countrys future, if a girl is educated, she plays a

decision making role in countrys building. But this

is very unfortunate for us that future of country is

killed in the womb itself.

During rally, 14 year old District

Secretary of the Organization Pooja said that in

todays time girls have gone so far by studying. Our

countrys first female Prime Minister Smt Indira

Gandhi has also made our country proud. Girls

have reached to moon now. I want that every girl

should get opportunity to study and move ahead.

13 year old Lado considering Female

Foeticide a heinous crime said that we girls also

have the right to live then why we are killed in the

not have any trouble. Now they come on time to the centre every day. I asked them what they do after coming to the centre. Then children told me that coming to the centre first of all they deposit their intoxicants, clean their mouth and hands pray to God and study after that. After this Arshad told that coming to centre he likes dancing. Arshad showed me the dance also. I asked children about what they learnt at Damdama workshop and then a child partner told that we should not get intoxicated. We got to know about the ill effects of intoxication at workshop. We got to know that we do not go ahead due to intoxication. We have to increase our will power to give up intoxication. We will have to stop other children from consuming intoxicants. We have to move towards a

children present there who live and work at some stations and asked them how they are feeling that this whole year has been dedicated towards the children who come in contact with railway by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, then a fourteen year old child partner working at Nizamuddin Railway Station told that he is very happy that the steps taken by government for interest

Children coming to Jhansi, Agra and Mathura Centre got an opportunity to attend Damdam workshop. After coming back from this workshop, when District Secretary and Chairman of Badhte Kadam went to centre for meeting children they were very happy to meet them. There was change seen in the way of their conversation and behavior of children after coming back from workshop. All children became very happy after seeing District Chairman of Badhte Kadam, Pooja. Pooja told that she asked all children to sit in a circle to have conversation and asked them if they have any kind of problem. All children said that they all are very good. Children told me that ever since they have come back from Damdama workshop, there after they do

railway stations in their list and work system in which they will work at stations- N i z a m u d d i n , A n a n d Vi h a r terminal in New Delhi, Mumbai C e n t r a l , C S T M u m b a i , H o w r a h , Sealdah, New J a l p a i g u r i ,

Ranchi, Chennai Terminal, Chennai Egmore, Lucknow N.R, Lucknow N.I.R, guwahati, Bangalore City, Patna, Varanasi Cantt, Sikandrabad, Nagpur Railway Station so that they can do something good in the interest of children coming to these stations and these children can be avoided from coming in contact with railway and can be given protection.

Members of Railway Board, Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Mr. P.C Rawal and Mr. Pradeep Kumar along with National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken this decision that they have to work along with certain institutions to do this work and then only they will be capable enough to fulfill this objective. They told that they will work with those institutions who are working with the children who come in contact with railway. For this they have involved certain institutions in their working system and with their help they will be able to reach those children who come in contact with railway and will be able to protect them. CHETNA institution which is for children who come in contact with railway has also shown their interest and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has opted CHETNA institution for working for two major stations- Anand Vihar and Nizamuddin Station.

When reporters of Balaknama spoke to

RALLY ORGANIZED BY TEAM OF BADHTE KADAM ON NATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY

DAMDAMA WORKSHOP CHANGED LIVES OF CHILDREN

Continued from pg.1THIS YEAR DEDICATED TO CHILDREN OF RAILWAY PLATFORMS

CHILD WORKING ON THE STATION GOT HIS OWN IDENTITY

5MATHURA

T

years old Ruby lives in Rajnagar colony

of Agra city. They are four brothers and

sisters. She lives with her mother. After

her fathers death she started picking

rags to handle her familys expenditure. But when

District Secretary of Badhte Kadam Poonam went

to her home to talk to her mother and asked her

mother to get her daughter admitted in the school

so that she get good education and can move

ahead. Poonam also made her mother aware about

the benefits of education. She gave all the

knowledge to her mother and motivated her to let

Ruby study. So that she gets ready to admit Ruby

in the school.

Rubys mother admitted her in Government

school after knowing about education. After

going to school, Ruby left her work of picking

rags and she started going school every day. But

suddenly after few days District Secretary

Poonam got to know that Ruby has left her school

so she went to her home in Rajnagar to meet Ruby.

After reaching there she spoke to Ruby and asked

There is a harm reduction center running in

Agra for children working and living at Agra

Railway Station or nearby to take them out from

intoxication. Around 50 children who stay and work

at station come to this centre and participate in the

activities organized by the centre. Along with the

studies children are kept occupied in other

entertaining activities to take them out of

intoxication at centre so that mind of these children

does not get involve in intoxication. The longer these

children stay at centre, the more their mind is away

from intoxication. But when these children return

back from the centre they again start consuming

these intoxicants. These children want to come out

of this dark life but due to lack of enough resources

they are not able to go away from this habit of

intoxication. More hard work is required to take out

these children from this intoxication.

14 year old member of Badhte Kadam Alam

told that he lives at Agra railway station and works in

My name is Nitin and my age is 13 years old and I live at Agra Railway Station. I do cleaning in trains. But I do not like to work. I like studying. When I became the member of Badhte Kadam I got to know that I can study also along with my work. After knowing this I took out time and started going to harm reduction centre run by CHETNA institution. The thing which makes me happier is that I also participate in the activities along with other children. Now I have started studying also along with my work. Along with it I convince other children also to study. I also keep the problems of children in front of everyone in the meeting. I give knowledge to all about child helpline during meeting. One day when I was playing with all children and when I reached station to meet children after playing I saw a boy wandering at Agra Chawni Railway Station who was crying a lot. His age was around 11 years old. When I saw him I went near him and asked his name. He told that his name is Rakesh, he told that do not know how he got separated from his parents while he was returning to his home from the village. I searched my family members a lot but I could not see them anywhere and started crying out of fear and I was searching my family members since a very long time here at the station only. Then Nitin asked this kid about his address and he told Nitin that his home is toward a colony settled in Rambagh in Agra. He started saying that he has got separated from his family. Increasing his moral Nitin said that you do not panic we will search your home. When we will find your home we will drop you at your home. After that Nitin took Rakesh along with him to search his home. Reaching Rambhag, Nitin met his parents and left him with his parents. Rakeshs parents spoke to me very respectfully and aunty gave me water to drink. Then uncle thanked me and praised me.

-Nitin (14 Years)

why she is not going to school. What was the

reason behind her to leave the school then Ruby

told that since the time her mother has become ill,

her mother has not been able to go to work and is

neither able to make food for her children nor able

to look after them. Due to this negligence one of

my brothers has also died.

So I had to start picking up the rags again by

which my familys expenditure is taken care of.

After working she stays back at home to make

food for her brother and sister and whatever time

is left after this she takes care of her brother and

sister at home. She goes again for picking up the

rags. There is nobody to work at her home and

there is nobody to look after her brother and sister

also who can give food to her brother and sister.

Because of this Ruby had to leave school. Ruby

said that if she does not work then her brother

sister who is atleast getting one time food will not

even get that and if I go to school then will starve

from hunger.-Poonam (15 Years)

fish market. Alam told that the there are many

children like him who work as rag pickers and out

of them there are many people who sleeps there

only after working and because of this they get

trapped into the habit of intoxication. I keep on

explaining and talking to those children who are

entrapped in the habit of intoxication. I do

friendship with all children who stay at railway

station and bring them to the centre to converse

with them and motivate them to give up

intoxication and participate in every activity with

them so that he can bring trust in their mind toward

his true friendship because Alam thinks that we

kids are just hungry of love and if children like us

are treated affectionately and if work is done with

heart with us then we can also leave intoxication.

Every partner can be changed at each station.

The change is seen inside them by associating with

children like this. Connection should be there for

any work to be done and since I have joined

Badhte Kadam as a member from then onwards I

have been trying that whosoever comes with me

to the centre leaves intoxicants and I have been

successful in my efforts as some child companion

Raja, Kadar, Aakash has left their intoxication

and some coming to the centre have decreased

their intoxication. I became very happy after

knowing that children with whom I did friendship

have left their intoxication and they come to the

centre every day to study and bring other children

also with them. I have got immense pleasure by

these efforts and in future also I will keep trying

similarly with other children who are under

intoxication.-Alam (12 Years)

Badhte Kadam organization child partners

celebrated New Year with 40 children. On this

occasion a colorful program was organized in

which all children gave their different

presentations. Some children presented a very

thrilled dance and proved that they are very

happy for the coming New Year and some

children stirred the mayhem by poetry and

singing songs. Children celebrated their

happiness on approaching into the New Year and

bid goodbye to their old year. Motive behind this

program was to create coordination between

people and children and to inculcate trust in

children regarding education and towards their

betterment so that children without any trouble

accept the way of goodness leaving behind their

bad habits and can bring new energy in

themselves so that change happens inside them.

District Chairman of Badhte Kadam Poonam

reached in this program to meet all children of

Agra. She gave them the knowledge of leaving

intoxication and made children aware about their

ill effects.

During program children while

conversing with Poonam said that they want to do

something new along with all the leaders so that it

can help other children and said that now they

will work on different issues related to children

along with leaders and will expose all the

problems. This way all leaders decided to give

knowledge to other children. Along with this

leaders of Badhte Kadam, on approaching New

Year asked them to give promise that if any child

has any problem then it will be solved together.

Other child companion who used to do

intoxication gave assurance that they will try to

decrease their intoxication in coming New Year

and will stop other children also from doing so

and will make them aware about the

consequences of intoxication. If any child learns

crime because of getting disturbed from his

parents or people around him then their help

would be done by leaders of Badhte Kadam.

After this all child companions appealed to

the people of Agra city that if any child is in

trouble then all of you should inform on

Childlines toll free number 1098 and help that

child partner so that whatever bad trouble that

child is in, he can come out of it. 14 year old

Leader of Badhte Kadam Priyanka said that

being a leader I will work for those girls and will

make aware those people who do not let their

daughters go out.

15 years old Kanhaiya said that I am going to

study very well this year and along with studies

during this whole year, will make aware those

children who live on streets through organizing

different activities by which their morale will

boost up.

15 years old Gaurav said that he will help all

children this year through child helpline and will

spread the knowledge about the child helpline

number in nearby communities.

13 years old Raja said that he comes to harm

reduction centre and this year he will teach

children to stop intoxication. With this program

was concluded.

-Poonam (15 Years)

12

CHILDREN TOOK PROMISE THROUGH COLORFUL

PROGRAM ON OCCASION OF NEW YEAR

AGRA

HOW FAMILYS BURDEN COMES ON SMALL SHOULDERS

HIGH ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH SMALL EFFORT

Lost child reaches home

6 BALAKNAMA

hildren who live on

the stations are the

one who run away

from their families for one or

the other reason. These kinds

of children get their living

whereabouts also here on the

station. As railway station is

the place where these

children can easily get

resources to live. There is

nobody to ask anything from

them nor there is any body to

ask questions from the. They

live here and they fill their

stomach from whatever they

get to eat.

These children

work somewhat there itself at

the station to live their life

like picking up junk, selling

tobacco, selling water bottles

or by selling chana masala,

these children earn some

money. These children are

generally the age of 12 to 16

years old and their gangs are

formed in this age only.

N u m b e r o f c h i l d r e n

increases on railway stations

this way and then these

children are forced to work

even. District Secretary of

Badhte Kadam did a meeting

on railway stations to know

about all this in which many

children took part and told

about their problems. During

discussion 10 year old Zakir

(name changed) told that he

lives on station and works

there. He has three brothers

and two sisters. Zakir told

that he came to station

around two years ago after

running from his home. He

made some new friends after

coming here who were living

here earlier only. He learnt

about intoxication from these

friends and learnt theft also

along with intoxication. He

told that he picks up junk in

the train along with his

friends. The train in which he

used to pick up the junk, its

driver came to him and asked

me if I will clean the train

then he will give me Rs100.

From that day I started

cleaning the train.

After this 13 year

old Raju (name changed)

told that at our station there

are many children who go to

pick up junk. But there are

only few children who speak

the truth. Raju told me that

today I will get u face to face

with some reality. He told

that he has been picking junk

at station since last 2-3 years.

I have seen that some

children like us are abused.

Police abash the children

who pick up junk here. They

take them to their homes and

force them to work there.

They also force them to clean

up their latrines.

Policemen beat

them up if they oppose

against it and same thing

happened with me. When I

was picking up junk then one

policeman forcefully took

me to his home and forced

me to work at his home. So

we all fear picking up junk at

the station. After this District

Secretary of Badhte Kadam

asked all the children living

at stations about the truth of

the information which Raju

gave; then all children told

that it is true. As this happen

with them also. Policemen

present there force us to

clean the latrines due to

which we go to station hiding

from them as picking junk is

the only work they do. We all

children want that policemen

do not behave badly with us

and do not force us to work at

their home or to clean their

homes latrines.

-Mahendra (14 Years)

14 year old reporter Jaswant and 16 years old Mahendra from Jhansi went to a colony i n G a d h m a u a n d organized a sport group meeting collecting all ch i ld ren toge ther. Around 30 children participated in this and h i g h l i g h t e d t h e i r problems. Discussion was done on each others problems after this.

During discussion 13 years old Leader of Badhte Kadam of Gadhmaus contact point, Sonu (name changed) told that we do not have any place or playground for us to play. The playground where we earlier used to play, people do gambling there and raw liquor is also available in that playground.

Due to this our parents do not send there to play. They deny us to go there and if we go to play in the ground of nearby farm then the farms owner beat us and set us to go away.

13 years old leader of Badhte Kadam Rahul (name changed) told that there is no place to play here because of which we children are not able to play cricket. After this 12 year old Raju told that we have a pond near our area where no elder or child go so there also we are beaten up and sent back.

And people who stay there they carry us away if we go near the pond. They take us to their home and make us work there and later they send message to our families and

BALAKNAMA

NO PLAYGROUND

FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY

leave us after two or more days and tell us that if any elder or child will go near that pond then we will take them also away like this.

Many a times children are carried away from our place. We are beaten up after taking us away. We and our parents fear very much because of this. Jaswant and Mahendra told them not to fear while explaining. If anybody does something like this with you all then you do not have to fear.

Jaswant while informing them told them that they can call number 100 without any hesitation and can get your complaint enrolled and can inform police about this. If you tell your problem to Police then they will surely help you. Otherwise you should tell all these things to your parents and be careful about your security. Some fear could be taken out from their mind after telling them about all this and they got information about this. So that they can caution others and help themselves.

-Jaswant (15 Years)

There are many people and children around us who does different types of intoxications like whitener tube, hemp, cannabis, smack, cigarette, liquor, etc. These intoxicants are easily available anywhere to these children. These children always remain in drunken state after consuming these intoxicants. They do not have any information about the world and are destroying their life like this. There is nobody to explain and to enhance their talent. Because of which children do not get any opportunity from anywhere and so these children remain deprived from presenting their hidden talents. But among from such children around 20-30 children got to show their talent by getting associated with Badhte Kadam.

These children are coming to the centre since last one year. The time when these children got associated with centre they used to do a lot of intoxication. But gradually their habit of intoxication declined and after decreasing their intoxication only they could recognize their hidden capabilities. These children learnt dance after reaching the centre and after their hard work these children got opportunity to show off their talent. These children were invited by D.R.M and R.P.F commander to show their talent on the occasion of republic day. Child partner became very happy on getting this opportunity. All children were present in this program on occasion of republic Day.

These children won peoples heart by showing their steamed dance performance by going in this program organized on this occasion. D.R.M. Sir, R.P.F Commander and other officers present there were all shocked by seeing this steamed performance. And they started saying that those children, who do intoxication, roam here and there are also very talented. Praising all child companions they said that by changing like this, we children can also become good citizen of this society one day. You will brighten up your name one day. Children became very happy after hearing all this. Because those officers who used to say good bad things about them, today they only are lauding about their talent. Children said that this thing is the best gift for us which will always inspire us to move ahead.

-Mahendra (14 Years)

Situation in which street and

working children are living because of

that people of our society run away from

them and do not talk to them. Morale of

these children goes down because of this.

No one talks affectionately with street and

working children.

Whenever these kids see some big

officer they feel very good. But these

children do not get opportunity to meet

these officers and enthusiasm of children

remains in their mind only. These children

are neither able to meet any of the big

officers nor able to tell them about their problems but these children got this

opportunity. Health check up of these children was carried out by

organization. All children got information about their health during health

check up. Children also got an appointment to meet C.M.O. Dr. Vinod Yadav.

C.M.O also called al; children to meet lovingly. All children also greeted

C.M.O and told him about themselves. Dr. Vinod Yadav asked the children

why they became member of Badhte Kadam.

Then 14 year old Fareen told that this is our own organization where

we can keep our things freely in front of everyone. As nobody here stops us to

say anything. Whatever problem we children have we all solve them together

and we help other child partners also. Dr. Vinod Yadav became very happy

after listening to all this and praised Fareen. After this Aadil told that we have

our own newspaper also which is only for street and working children. The

special thng about this newspaper is that children only write this newspaper.

Name of this newspaper is Balaknama. After this C.M.O asked what all

problems do we face. Then 12 year old Sameer told that sir we have to wait in

queues for very long hours at hospitals and then also we do not get medicines.

Answering to this Dr. Vinod Yadav said that if you all children require any

medicine or have to get any health check up done then you can directly come

to us. From now onwards you will not have to face any problem. After that Dr.

Vinod Yadav provided breakfast to all children and gave us best wishes.

-Jaswant (15 Years)

JHANSI

Ill-treatment happening with children and are forced to work

CHILDREN LIVING ON STATIONS TOLD THEIR STORY

MEMBERS OF BADHTE KADAM

VISITED CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

CHILDREN LIVING ON RAILWAY STATIONS

SHOWED THEIR TALENT ON REPUBLIC DAY

7

C

BALAKNAMA8

oday also girls are not given importance in our society. They are still abused today also. Today also they are not allowed to go

out of their home. If they go out of their house, they are beaten up by their parents and use abusive language against them. Girls are not given as much respect as boys are given in our society.

Daughters of homes are stopped from doing every work but boys of homes are never stopped. This is the plight of girls. Oppression is still done on girls in cities like Gwalior. They are beaten up and they are being tortured on their small mistakes by their parents. Few days back only when District Secretary of Badhte Kadam Tahir was talking to the children at contact point, he saw that a 14 year old girl was sitting there upset in dirty and tattered clothes. After seeing this Tahir spoke to that girl and asked why she is sitting like this.

She told that her parents beat her up every

day. Not even a single day go when she is not beaten up. She is very disturbed due to her home because of which she was sitting outside her home. After listening to her about everything Tahir first explained and told her that we children have a helpline number through which any child can ask for help for his/her problems and troubles. This service work for 24 hours for children and along with it no money is taken for calling on this number as this number is toll free. After listening to all this that girl became silent and started listening to Tahir attentively. That girl went back to her home. When her parents beat her again for something then she started crying and suddenly while crying she remembered about child helpline number and to save her she called childline number and told them about her problem. She told that she has got the information of this number from District Secretary of Badhte Kadam.

After this two members of childline reached her home and took her parents with them to explain so that they do not oppress her daughter and do not beat any child because beating children is a legal crime.

-Tahir (15 Years)

government health centre. So that they can be kept

safe from this disease. Along with this they were

also asked to take some precautions to save

themselves from this disease.

What not to do to avoid Swine Flu?

1. Do not shake hands, do not hug each other.2. Do not do any other activity of body contact.

3. Do not take medicine without doctors advice.

Follow the following steps to stay away from

Swine Flu

1. Cover your mouth certainly with handkerchief

or clothe while sneezing or coughing.

2. Wash your hands with soap and water often.

3. Do not touch eyes and nose.

4. Avoid crowded places; stay away at a distance

of hand from people infected from flu.

5. Avoid public places if you have fever, cough

and throat infection.

6. Drink lots of water and take nutritious diet.

7. Take adequate sleep.

This way members of Badhte Kadam together

got childrens check up done and along with

this made society and community aware about

this disease.

-Tahir (15 Years)

As you all know that swine flu is a major

disease and this illness takes very less time to

spread. Because it is spread by air. This disease is

communicable. Symptoms of this disease are

fever, cough, bad throat, running or blocked

nose, tiredness, diarrhea, vomiting and blood in

sputum. These all are symptoms of swine flu.

Many children have been harmed by this disease

and many children have fallen ill by coming into

its grip. Member of Badhte Kadam Raju died

after coming into the grip of swine flu that used

to live in Scindia Nagar in Gwalior. When this

news reached District Secretary of Badhte

Kadam Tahir then he made a group with children

and decided to take out an awareness rally

against Swine Flu.

These children discussed during meeting

that we all children will go and give knowledge

about swine flu in all places of Gwalior. They

will make people cautious about swine flu so that

people and children could be saved from this

disease. These all children and leaders of Badhte

Kadam made a group every where they went and

after making group first of all they told about the

symptoms of this disease. After this those

children who discussed with leaders of Badhte

Kadam they also got them checked up at

Child helpline Number 1098: You can contact this helpline number anytime whenever you see a child in trouble. This is 24 hours available and this is a toll free number.Police Helpline Number 100: Police helpline number is a toll free number where you can call anytime for help.

CHILD HELPLINE NUMBERS

World Cups fever is on everybody heads these days and street and working children also could not remain away from it. Whenever there was a match between the Indian team and cricket teams of other country, then faces colored with flags three colors, people wearing similar blue t-shirts as of Indian cricketers and crowd filled with love for the country shouting slogans of sixes and fours is just an amazing sight to see in the stadium. As cricket is the most loved game and famous all over the world. Everyone likes to watch these matches. If we see cricket is actually that game which originated from lanes and streets only. Every great player starts this game from these places only and later in life play big innings. Great cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also says the same thing that he started this game from

streets only. The hangover of this game is on many peoples mind. Among this list there are a good number of street and working children included in it who are intense lovers of cricket. Keeping this thing in mind, with joint aegis of Badhte Kadam, the street and working childrens organization started a unique type of cricket named Gully Cricket in Gwalior during the time of world cup. This cricket was played between the street and working children of Gwaliors Badhte Kadam and children of 6 government and non-government schools. This gully cricket was organized in Siraul. This match was played between members of

Badhte Kadam and Children of Dongarpurs government school. 11-11 players from each team participated in this match and, Badhte Kadams team with their reeky batting scored 35 runs and Dongarpurs government school team was all out on 18 runs in this match of 10 overs. Principal of Dongarpur School Mr. Narayan presented the trophy to Prashant, Captain of Badhte Kadams team. Congratulating captain Prashant on their victory, Mr. Narayan said that CHETNA institution has done a very commendable job by organizing this Gully Cricket. There is inducement of enthusiasm in children by organization of these kinds of games and they get an inner strength to play. Winning teams captain Prashant said that this victory does not matter to us so much as winning world cup by Indian team is important. We consider Indian team the best team in the world. Members of CHETNA and Principal and Teachers of Dongarpurs School have given significant contribution in organizing this cricket.

-Priyanka (14 Years)

GWALIOR

CHILDREN TOOK OUT RALLY AGAINST SWINE FLU

MEMBERS OF BADHTE KADAM PLAYED GULLY CRICKET

WHAT IF I AM A GIRL, I HAVE THE COURAGETook step for my own self-defense

S anno, Aazad Ali, Chandni, Vikas, Aakash,

Chandu, Gagan, Preeti, , Vikram, Pooja,

Chandan, Pooja, Poonam, Alam, Nitin, Poonam,

Jaswant, Mahendra, Priyanka, Tahir

Translated by: Richa Somvanshi

h

Saurav

T

Editorial Board:

All photographs published in this news letter are with the consent of the children.The news letter is for limited distribution Financial Support : ERACH & Roshan Sadri Foundation

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