Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Inconvenient truth

The photograph of children scouring for metals and scraps in a garbage dump and the accompanying report “An inconvenient truth in Chennai” (April 19) speak volumes about the woefully miserable and pitiable state of the have-nots, especially children. We, as citizens of India, should hang our heads in shame.

K.R.A. Narasiah,

Chennai

That children of seven and eight are forced to sift through hazardous waste on a daily basis to contribute to the income of their families is shocking. It is indeed saddening to know that when they are supposed to be in school, the unfortunate children are wading through used bandages, syringes and old batteries to salvage some metal pieces and plastic containers. The Tamil Nadu government should take serious note of the inconvenient truth.

J. Suganthi,

Lalgudi

Child ragpickers are deprived of love and education and are at high risk of being exploited by others, especially bandits and those running junkyards.

Children resort to street life due to their instinct to survive in hard life conditions. Ragpicking is a natural progression in their search for easy work and relative freedom. As the market for recyclable materials has increased, many street children have turned to ragpicking. A majority of them are highly vulnerable to drugs as they are likely to be exposed to addicts and suppliers as well as to pressure. There is need to strengthen the solid waste management system of Chennai, and support the establishment of sustainable community based waste management schemes. Rehabilitation is necessary for all child ragpickers so that they can find their rightful place in society.

T. Marx,

Karaikal

What an effective and innovative way of projecting the twin problems of child ragpickers and highly polluted garbage dumps! The need of the hour is mission-oriented approach to tackle the problems of street children, including ragpickers. The initiative should involve the government, industry associations such as the CII, top private hospitals, schools and special schools, and NGOs. The corporate houses can provide the necessary resources.

M. Raghupathy,

Chennai

The fact that children are forced by their parents to rummage through garbage to eke out a living speaks volumes about our failure to ameliorate the living conditions of the poor, despite a number of poverty alleviation programmes launched from time to time.

It appears that a sizeable amount from various poverty reduction schemes is siphoned off by middlemen and the benefits do not reach the needy. The need of the hour is strong political will and a dedicated bureaucracy that can ensure universal education for children.

S. Nallasivan,

Tirunelveli

On the one hand, we harp on the uplift of the weaker sections and, on the other, leave deprived children to their fate. The greatest man of all times said his aim was to wipe out every tear from every eye. We have long forgotten the Mahatma and his teachings. Even after 60 years of independence, we have not turned our attention to the plight of hapless children.

T.K. Subramanian,

Chennai

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