Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

A child labourer turns into a bright student

Syed Muthahar Saqaf

Though born in a poor family, Rajkumar was a topper since the very beginning.

NO LONGER A DROP-OUT: P. Rajkumar helping his mother in his house at Woraiyur in Tiruchi. — PHOTO: R. M. RAJARATHINAM .

TIRUCHI: When the IX Standard results of Bishop Heber Higher Secondary School at Puthur here were published a few days ago, the most happiest student was P. Rajkumar. He had reasons.

Rescued from the clutches of child labour and re-admitted to the school, this 15-year-old boy got promoted to X Standard though he had to abandon his studies mid-way last year owing to domestic circumstances.

Though born in a poor family, Rajkumar was a topper since the very beginning. He was faced with a crisis when his father, Periasamy, a motor mechanic, was injured in an accident and became unemployed.

So, the entire burden of running the family fell on Rajathi, Rajkumar's mother, who struggled to make both ends meet from then on. Working as a domestic servant in houses nearby didn't help her keep the wolf from the door. Hence, Rajkumar was forced to take up some job to supplement his mother's income. At a time when he had been for a few months in IX Standard last year, he had to drop out.

He found a job in an automobile workshop in the city where he was toiling hard to earn a few rupees badly needed for his family. However, destiny turned in favour of Rajkumar when a special squad comprising officials from the Labour Department, the Child Labour Elimination and Effective Rehabilitation Society (CHEERS) functioning under the National Child Labour Project and representatives of non-governmental organisations was conducting a surprise raid at various work places.

Rajkumar, who was passing by, overheard the officials discussing with the children of his age group and volunteered to continue his studies with their help. He had been absent from the class for about four months.

The Project Director of the CHEERS, Jaisee Suwetha, said she approached Bishop Heber School authorities seeking their assistance to enable Rajkumar to continue his studies. From the special fund available with the society, Rs. 500 was given for paying the school fee, while new uniforms were procured by spending Rs. 800. Rajkumar joined the school instantly. CHEERS personnel were doubly happy when Rajkumar showed a good progress in his studies, ably making up for the lost lessons in his absence.

To generate income for his family, the CHEERS provided a wet grinder to his mother with the financial support of the City Cooperative Bank, Puthur, Tiruchi. Ms. Rajathi is a happy woman now, as she is able to make an earning of about Rs. 50 a day by undertaking the grinding work for hotels and houses.

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