So that these slum children can ‘live’

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 13

Much to the respite of slum-dwellers and children studying at a “special school” being run for them, the open dump at Hambran Road is now being cleared. Not only this, the open dumping of garbage at this site will also be stopped now.

Thanks to the efforts of city-based advocate Hariom Jindal, who has been running classes for slum children for three-and-a-half years here. 

Jindal had filed a complaint to the Municipal Corporation to stop dumping of garbage in the open near the slum area under the Right to Life listed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, in reference to the right to health and safety of children. 

He said the dump was also jeopardising the health of children and slum-dwellers in the area, but as the children were taking to rag-picking, it was also wrecking their childhood. 

Not only did he file a complaint, but also complained about the inaction to ascertain that the rights of children were not violated. “I had written to the MC Commissioner to take action in this matter. But when nothing was taken in this regard, I filed an RTI to know what action was taken about my complaint. When there was no reply, I filed another complaint to the Information Commissioner, who asked the MC Commissioner to furnish all information sought regarding the action taken in this matter. In fact, he appreciated the work that was being done for the cause of education. As a result, the dump is being cleared now,” he said. 

He said nearly 100 children are being taught at around four such places, including one in Hambran and three on Hambran Road near Sai temple, one behind the fish market and one behind the sub-registrar's office.

Speaking about the reason for running such schools, he said for every child that is born in the society, it becomes a collective responsibility of the society and the government to ensure that the rights of children are ensured. “If children have been allowed to be born, then it is the responsibility of the society as well that their lives should not be allowed to be ruined. It is important that their rights are protected and education for them is extremely important so that children are able to understand own existence and their relationship with the society, so that he can look after both,” he said.