Essence of freedom: What independence means to the poor children of India

By Arnab Mitra

When the country is celebrating its 69th Independence Day, children at some corners of the country are dying from hunger and are working in tea stalls and factories to make ends meet.

The Government is reluctant to look after these Indians even as thousands of children die every day. According to UNESCO, India ranked 71 in concern of children health and education.

To help the poor children, Kolkata-based group ABCD (Any Body Can Donate) today organized a program with some hundred slum children of Kolkata, to give them a ray of enjoyment in their melee.

NewsGram had an interaction with one of the founding members of the group Any Body Can Donate, Arka Jyoti Pal who expressed his deep concern about the fate of these poor children.

Arnab Mitra: 69th year of independence. Why does India neglect her children?

Arka Jyoti Pal: It is because the rich are becoming richer and the poor become poorer. The government does not have time to look after these poor children, they are busy in increasing their salary with black money.

AM: What is the motto behind your group?

Arka: Our motto is "To help the neglected class". Every party shouts about helping the poor during the election, but the condition of these poor people remains same. They don't have any independence, they are still deprived of their basic rights of food, health and shelter. It is a shame to an independent nation.

AM: How do you intend to help these poor children?

Arka: Every year, according to the basis of merit, we help them in their higher education. We are also trying to build an institution where we can provide free education to these poor children.

NewsGram also talked with some poor children and they said they could not savor the feeling of being independent.