Dr Jeanette Pinto –
The Age of Discoveries namely the 15-17th centuries, brought about a new phase in the lives of people in the newly discovered worlds; avarice and greed on the part of explorers, for money gold, precious stones, silks, and spices to become rich overnight. Fast forward to the 20-21st centuries, there is another rapacious kind of greed. The treasure sought shockingly is human beings – sex slaves, migrants, victims of war or natural calamities, and very sadly children who have become a covetous prey to these human sharks.
The phrase “children are a treasure” highlights the immense value, representing hope, potential, and the future of these unfortunate human beings. They are special because of their unique perspectives, such as innocence, imagination, and curiosity. They bring joy and unconditional love, find happiness in simple things, and possess qualities like innocence honesty and resilience. Besides each child is a unique combination of talents, strengths, and individuality.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was attracted to children? Why so? M O Mathai, in his book: My Days with Nehru (1989), observed: “Nehru saw in their innocent faces and sparkling eyes the future of India. He was convinced that no amount of money spent on children and their mothers was too much, and that it was a sound investment for the future.” In an earlier, interview in 1958, he told Ram Narayan Chaudhary a writer and social reformer, that he was fond of children because the future of the country was dependent on children; “I have always felt that the children of today will make the India of tomorrow, and the way we bring them up will determine the future of the country.” Indeed, great was his love for children of the land.
Unfortunately, today we are sadly pained to see the children of our world many of whose plight is despicable, nay miserable. Poverty is one of the most significant issues facing children today. According to UNICEF, around 333 million children live in extreme poverty. Besides, newsprint headlines are shocking; ‘2 months baby girl found mauled in the dumpster’, ‘cough syrup kills 23 children,’ ‘boy charred to death in school fire”, “girl aged 9 found raped and murdered,’ ‘child kidnapped and murdered for ransom’. The NRCB data of Karnataka in 2023 reports of major crimes against children, mentioning that kidnapping and abduction are 3,254 cases. All these horrible headlines touch a sensitive chord of our hearts. What about our psyche…are we doing anything about it?
Countless children have become victims of war, natural disasters, HIV/AIDS, and extreme forms of violence, exploitation, and abuse. Millions of children, especially girls, do not have access to quality education. Today children live in a world of confusion, created by the crazy ideas of some senseless, bigoted, and despotic adults. Every person has a shared responsibility to raise our children happily and with strong human values. Presently, there are more than 2.2 billion children on planet Earth, and nearly 2 billion of these live in a developing country and face various challenges. About 200 million live in conflict zones suffering woes of migration, malnutrition, hunger, disease, and insecurity.
The fate of migrants and displaced children also is very pitiable. They suffer separation from family, violence, exploitation, also disrupted education, poor health, distress, and psychological trauma. Sex trafficking and child sexual abuses are rampant in our country. Children are like flowers in a garden but sadly they are used, abused, and misused because they are innocent and helpless, naturally they suffer a range of psychological and behavioural problems. We adults are truly to blame, and our souls need to be transformed.
The founder of Children’s Day is Reverend Dr Charles Leonard in Chelsea, US way back in 1857. Then in 1925, International Children’s Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Since 1950, it is celebrated on June 1 in many countries. World Children’s Day is presently celebrated on 20 November to commemorate the Declaration of the Rights of the Child who are protected under the age of 16 years by UN General Assembly 1989. It protects their right to education, healthcare, happiness, and welfare. India celebrates Children’s Day on 14th November, the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
There are Children’s organizations which are helping unfortunate children. Save the Children – is a global non-profit organization founded in 1919. …CRY (Child Rights and You) …CHF (CHILD HELP FOUNDATION) …Smile Foundation…Pratham Education Foundation…The Akshaya Patra Foundation (TAPF) Snehalaya, and Katha. Children truly are our greatest treasure, those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation. My Sunday school song written by C. Herbert Woolston often rings in my ears: Jesus loves the little children / All the children of the world / Red and yellow, Black, and white / They are precious in His sight / Jesus loves the little children…. Let us do all we can to raise our children to see better days.
Dr. Jeanette Pinto is a retired educator and a member of the Archdiocesan Human Life Committee, Bombay. She also leads a Church ministry for widows at her Parish. She is an author of several inspirational books and articles.