Recounting Velpur’s Story in Ending Child Labour: THE HINDU EDITORIAL SIMPLIFIED
World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL)
Observed every year on June 12 by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Aims to draw global attention and unite:
Governments
Employers & workers’ organisations
Civil society
Focus: End child labour in all forms by 2025 (as per SDG Target 8.7).
Global Child Labour Scenario
160 million children worldwide in child labour — nearly 1 in 10 children.
Africa, Asia, and Pacific regions account for 90% of these cases.
COVID-19 worsened the issue:
School closures
Parental job/wage losses
Many children dropped out and didn’t return
Extent of Child Labour in India
As per Census 2011: 43.53 lakh children (age 5–14) involved.
Contributing factors:
Poverty
Illiteracy
Lack of access
Common sectors: Beedi, carpet-weaving, fireworks
Indian Laws and Policies
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act,1986: Prohibited and regulated child labour.
National Policy on Child Labour, 1987: Focused on rehabilitation through:
CLPRA enforcement
National Child Labour Project (NCLP)
Amendment Act, 2016:
Banned employment of children <14 years
Banned adolescents (14–18 years) in hazardous jobs
Art 21A : Right to Education Act: Free and compulsory education for 6–14 years
Challenges in Implementation
Most anti-child labour drives are short-lived.
Children often return to work after dropping out again.
But Velpur tells a different story.
The Velpur Model: A Community-Led Success Story
Transformation of Velpur (Telangana)
Once notorious for child labour.
In June 2001, a 100-day community-driven campaign ensured:
All 5–15-year-olds were enrolled in school
No child was working
Declared “child labour free mandal” on October 2, 2001
Initial Resistance and Rumours
Resistance included:
Rumours of child kidnapping for organ trade
Hotel owners mocked the drive
But persistent efforts changed public opinion.
Turning Point: Community Ownership
Community began owning the movement.
Working children were moved to NCLP bridge schools.
Public meetings emphasized:
Importance of education
Former employers allowed kids to go to school
Employer Support and Debt Forgiveness
Employers:
Forgave loans taken by parents
Stopped using children as mortgage
Distributed school stationery
₹35 lakh worth of loans written off for the cause.
Historic Agreement
All sarpanchs signed an MoU (under AP Primary Education Rules, 1982):
Committed to send all 5–14-year-olds to school
Government promised access, infrastructure, and teachers
Boards with “No child labour in our village” were installed in every village.
Recognition and Celebration
On October 8, 2021, during Azadi ka Amruth Mahotsav:
VVGNLI (under Labour Ministry) held an event in Nizamabad
Honoured sarpanchs, caste elders, and campaigners
Local media challenged to find a single child not in school — no takers.
A leading news magazine did a special report.
National and International Recognition
ILO, media, and education experts appreciated Velpur.
APJ Abdul Kalam and National Human Rights Commission sent appreciation letters.
Velpur model included in VVGNLI training programmes.
Parliamentary Standing Committee invited District Collector to present success story in Nov 2022.
What is Vital: Lessons from Velpur
Community-led movements are key to solving social issues.
The success of Velpur shows that people’s participation ensures sustainability.
The writer was District Collector of Nizamabad during the Velpur campaign.
By: Shivam Saxena
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