Tick..tockk...tickk...the clock strikes 8 and lakhs of Indian homes hook on to TV for their evening entertainment starting with Balika Vadhu...everyone sympathize with the on screen bride Anandi, and the groom, Jadgdish, for getting married at such a tender age. BUT how many of us come out of that reel world and think about reality of these children who are working at such a tender age! Indeed, reel life is different from real life! It's not as glamorous to work as it appears.
It is not only about Balika Vadhu, there are many children who are working in Indian TV industry..kids in Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah chashmah, Jhansi ki Rani, dozens of reality shows like Chak dhoom Dhoom, Dance India Dance, Little Champions, judging the singing and dancing talents of children - how real these reality shows are?
Whichever channel one surfs, one can find cute kids loaded with kilos of make-up, decorated in costumes, speaking long emotional sentences which even they do not understand. This magnetic abusing need to be stopped otherwise these kids would lose their innocence and angelic purity.
Is this not a colorful version of child labour in contrast to what black & white we know about this problem! Who is responsible for this - parents, who push their kids to earn name, fame and money for the family, children themselves, or we as viewers who like them so much that do not bother to think even once about the conditions in which they work.
This trend is elevating and is a serious issue to be discussed and thought upon. Though there would be counter arguments too, as these children are conditioned by their parents to take this as a "hobby" and not their way to earn bread and butter. Parents need to understand that prolonged exposure to make-up, lights and attention (by relatives, other children, and teachers) would affect their physical, social, mental and emotional health.
This magnetic version of child labour, which attracts parents and children to get abused themselves need to be understood and tackled very carefully. If one look into the law books and the acts made by Indian government, The Child Labour Act of 1986 clearly defines that children working under the age of 14 are termed as child workers. And most of the children working are under 14 years of age.
Also, The Convention on the Right of the Child as laid down by UNICEF, defines four basic rights for children i.e. Right to Participation, Right to survive, Right to Development and Right to protection. These kids though earn huge amount of money and fame but are deprived of their basic rights! THIS IS THE REALITY OF INDIAN TELEVISION THESE DAYS!!
However, in order to put some kind of regulation, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has proposed certain guidelines in order to protect these kids from further abuse. The guidelines covers the area related to working hours, kind of content, working conditions, physical development, and educational requirements of children.
In a country like India, where people do not think even once before breaking a law, proposing guidelines and perceiving a happy paradise is not a sane thing to do. It is a new threat emerging and we must prevent it from becoming a problem for us.
