Shaan Shashank Mishra feels the future of any country lies in the way it treats its children. Speaking about child labour on World Child Labour Day, and its effect on society he says, “Children are very true to their thoughts and as people say ‘Bache Bhagwan Ka Roop Hote Hai’. That is why we should never engage children in labour. They must be taught how things should be done, given appropriate education, helped gain knowledge, to live and walk on the right path, and told what is right and wrong. I’m against all kinds of child labour. There should be no child labour at all. As we know, engaging in that is a crime and laws need to be implemented to punish anyone who engages in such behaviour.”
He also adds, “If I see any young kid working at the railway station, on the street, or at a hotel, it makes me really sad. I try to talk to them, ask them to study, to become good people and tell them that nothing will change by working in such a place. In fact, I would like to mention that I have been associated with the Nanhi Duniya Foundation which was established before our independence in 1946, by Prof. Lekh Raj Ulfat. I am associated with this foundation because my whole family is connected with it. Many kids get an education from there. In that school, children with special needs like those with hearing and speech problems, poor, orphan, normal kids, and every type of child studies. I've always volunteered at that school, educating children, doing activities with them, and conducting creative workshops. For many years, I have sent children from the streets to this school in my city and got them admitted, providing them with books and bags and all other school materials. I've been doing this for quite some time now.”
Shaan also shares how he feels when he sees child beggars on the roads. He says, “This is heartbreaking. Their parents have lived their lives but are now teaching their kids how to beg, which is very incorrect. It makes me wonder how parents can do this to their kids' future. That's why, whenever I used to notice something like this, we used to take them to school, get them admitted, give them an education, and engage them in things that would make them happy. All of this altered their thinking, and they stopped working and selling tiny items on the streets. And I believe that everyone should do something like this in order to help these kids. We should all take similar steps. I have adopted three children who are my house help’s kids. I'm in charge of their education and have gotten them enrolled in a school nearby. They reside with me. I look after them, and they're really kind, creative, and brilliant. When I'm with children, I feel blessed.”
Shaan also shares, “In many nations, the situation is worsening. In countries like Nepal, and Bangladesh the child labour issue is big. I'd like to request every one to take this seriously. They are the nation's future. The children must be sharp and intelligent, and they must operate in accordance with technology and time. Time is changing, and we must all change with it and with our mindset. If you come across such a situation, make the child and their parents understand that child labour is wrong.”
