A land of smiles' introduces kids to rights

Good morning friends. Still kids on the go!
Ahmedabad : One starry night as Khushi is asleep, she hears Sitaramasi urgently whisper in her ear. "I have a magic telescope through which you can peep into the Land of Smiles a place that's very special for children." In that land, Khushi and her friends can't find a single child crying. All children get good food, clean drinking water, fresh air, education and medical care. There are no children cleaning cars, begging on streets or picking pockets.

This is an excerpt from a booklet in English to be published soon by city-based NGO, CHETNA, to make children aware of their rights. The difference is that it in story form and illustrated by kids themselves. Says Minaxi Shukla, co-founder of the NGO: "There is great need for children to understand their rights and the literature available on the subject is in heavy language. We thought of attracting kids with a simple narrative." The target age group is 10-plus and the plan is to print 1,000 copies initially of the 16-page reader. The book has a number of stories featuring children, like that of Raju, a 12-year-old in remand home who is beaten because he hid chana from his own lunch plate, planning to eat it later. Or Ooliya, who ran away from home and lives alone on the railway station, miserably cold in winter. Then there are the whispers of Kamala, who says her husband will kill her baby if it is a girl child.

At one point in the story, the distressed protagonist Khushi says: "Sometimes we do know what we want and what's good for us, but adults don't listen." Sitaramasi gently pats her head and replies, "That won't happen in my Land of Smiles'." However, she stresses that responsibility is the flip side of the rights coin. And, there is a need to see that rights of others are respected. Khushi suddenly realises how fortunate she and her friends are as they enjoy almost all their rights. She thinks she must do something for Shantabai's daughter Bhikhi, who comes to clean utensils in her house. Bhikhi loves books, but can't read or wite.