SOURCE :- SIASAT NEWS
Hyderabad: Who robbed them of their innocence? Where have the carefree days of childhood gone? On Children’s Day, these questions are not just disturbing – they demand serious introspection. Somewhere along the way, infancy itself seems to have become a casualty of a rapidly changing world.
Children are often described as the world’s most precious resource and its greatest hope for the future. Yet, the manner in which societies treat their youngest citizens frequently contradicts this noble sentiment.
It was a time when childhood was synonymous with innocence, simplicity, and boundless imagination. Gilli-danda, kabaddi, hide-and-seek and making little mud houses (gharaondas) were favourite pastimes. Children returned home with muddy hands, bruised knees, and unforgettable memories.
Today, the scenario is totally different. Even toddlers are fascinated by mobile phones. For many, a meal is incomplete without their favourite cartoon or game playing on a smartphone. Outdoor games have gradually disappeared, while sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits are contributing to childhood obesity.
Emotional, psychological well-being also under strain
The problem is not confined to physical health alone. Children’s emotional and psychological well-being is increasingly under strain. Academic competition, parental expectations, bullying, social media pressures and the constant need for validation are taking their toll.
If the UNICEF report is something to go by, the health situation of children in India presents a paradox. India has made considerable progress in reducing child mortality, but malnutrition remains a formidable challenge.
Can a nation aspiring to become a global economic power afford to have millions of children growing up with nutritional deficiencies? The National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), 2023–24, indicates considerable progress in certain areas, but persistent malnutrition, poor dietary diversity and inadequate infant feeding practices remain major public health concerns.
Anaemia continues to be a major childhood health concern. Figures show that 29.3 per cent of children under five are stunted, while 31.8 per cent are underweight. There are, however, admirable advances in immunisation and improvement in child survival. But children’s health cannot be measured merely by their survival. It must encompass physical growth, mental development, nutritional security, emotional well-being and access to quality healthcare.
Enrolment up, access to quality education a challenge
Education also remains a mixed story. Enrolment has improved, but access to quality education and meaningful learning continues to be a challenge. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 indicates that only 23.4 per cent of children in Class III attending government schools in rural India could read a Class II-level text.
The divide between privileged and disadvantaged children is equally disturbing. While children in affluent households attend well-equipped schools and enjoy access to technology, millions in rural areas, urban slums and marginalised communities struggle with inadequate classrooms, insufficient teachers and poor educational infrastructure. For many girls, discrimination, domestic responsibilities and early marriage further restrict educational opportunities.
Moral values need to be cultivated
Equally important is the moral dimension of childhood. Education should not merely produce examination toppers and future professionals; it should nurture compassionate, responsible and socially conscious citizens. Respect for elders, empathy towards the disadvantaged, honesty, tolerance and concern for fellow human beings are values that must be cultivated from an early age.
Unfortunately, the growing influence of consumerism, celebrity culture and social media has altered children’s aspirations. Parents and teachers, once the principal role models, increasingly compete with film stars, sporting personalities and online influencers. Success is frequently measured by wealth, popularity and possessions rather than character and integrity. Restoring the importance of values without denying children the opportunities offered by modernity remains a challenge to parents.
But are the children safe in today’s world? That’s the disturbing question.
Children worst sufferers in today’s world
In a world torn apart by wars and armed conflicts, children are invariably the worst sufferers. Palestine, particularly Gaza, is a tragic reminder of their vulnerability. Sudan, Yemen and Ukraine tell similarly distressing stories. UNICEF’s global reporting has documented thousands of grave violations against children in conflict zones, including killings, maiming, abductions and recruitment into armed groups.
The crisis extends beyond battlefields. Poverty, trafficking, sexual exploitation and child labour continue to rob millions of their childhood. According to the ILO and UNICEF, nearly 138 million children worldwide were engaged in child labour in 2024, including approximately 54 million in hazardous work. India, too, has its share of disturbing realities.
Despite constitutional safeguards, the Right to Education Act, the POCSO Act and various child welfare programmes, exploitation, abuse, child marriage and trafficking remain serious concerns. As if this is not enough, the digital environment has added another dimension. Cyber-bullying, online grooming, exposure to inappropriate content, and excessive screen time threaten children’s safety and development.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, guarantees every child the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Yet, the gap between promise and ground realities remains painfully wide.
Raising children an act of worship
Islam is perhaps the only religion which regards raising children as an act of worship – not merely a parental responsibility or a social obligation. In fact, it is an ‘amanah’ (a sacred trust) bestowed by Allah – a trust for which parents will ultimately be answerable. “Bringing up a child is a sacred responsibility,” says well-known scholar Mirza Yawar Baig.
Parents are expected to lead by example. They are the first teachers and role models in a child’s life. Therefore, they ought to embody the values they wish to see in their children — honesty, compassion, patience, humility, respect for others and a sense of accountability.
As we celebrate yet another Children’s Day, it is time to move beyond ceremonial speeches and symbolic gestures. Children need nutritious food, quality education, affordable healthcare, emotional security, moral guidance and, above all, the freedom to enjoy their childhood.
The future, Mahatma Gandhi said, depends on what you do today. This is particularly true when it comes to children. Their future is being shaped by the choices governments, parents, teachers and society make today. The real measure of a civilised society is not its economic growth, military strength or technological achievements, but how it treats its most vulnerable members.
The question is not simply who stole our children’s innocence. Is it whether we have the collective conscience and determination to give them their childhood back?
SOURCE : SIASAT
