The happiest child in the world (click on image for larger view)
India – the world’s largest democracy
An economic powerhouse, potential superpower fuelled by a population explosion
This is the view which we are accustomed to.
Poverty remains an uncontrollable constant threat
An undesired companion to this success story
This dark horror haunts even the most affluent of cities
A cycle that only a few are lucky to escape
Another view, which we in the developed world acknowledge, possibly ignore.
Another view, which we in the developed world acknowledge, possibly ignore.
This child, an “economic” migrant
Upon completion of an audacious move to Punjab, North India from Bihar, West India
Upon completion of an audacious move to Punjab, North India from Bihar, West India
He currently works on less than a dollar a day
Through no choice, instead in order to survive
Arguably this child is not and economic migrant instead trapped by circumstances
Which have been passed on from generation to generation.
His own childhood innocence is becomes his alibi but also his enemy,
As an enemy it leads to vulnerability and exposure to exhausting, harsh work conditions
Whereas an alibi it acts as a shield, sheltering the child by nurturing him to see better of his current state of affairs
Lest it may tarnish his outlook.
As an enemy it leads to vulnerability and exposure to exhausting, harsh work conditions
Whereas an alibi it acts as a shield, sheltering the child by nurturing him to see better of his current state of affairs
Lest it may tarnish his outlook.
Yet, he remains the happiest child in the world
His own happiness lies in knowing that his hard work directly benefits his mother at home
His own happiness lies in knowing that his hard work directly benefits his mother at home
This is his own view, shared by many, myself included.
For a view is not what one sees
Rather how one sees it
Perception is everything; it holds the key to unlocking these different views
A view is complex, dynamic and ever-changing.
By Andeep Kaur
Peter Symonds College, Winchester
