On the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour, Snehalaya and Child Friendly Guwahati, in collaboration with the District Administration Kamrup (Metro) and the Office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner, Kamrup (M), organized a programme to raise awareness and renew efforts toward eliminating child labour. The event took place on 12 June 2025 and was graced by key dignitaries, civil society members, and child rights advocates.
The theme for this year’s celebration — “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: Let’s speed up efforts” — served as a reminder that while strides have been made, the journey to end child labour is far from over. The central message of the event emphasized that no child should be forced into labour at the cost of their education and overall well-being.
The programme was attended by Madam Parijat Bhuyan, District Development Commissioner, Kamrup Metro; Sir Hemanta Kalita, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Kamrup Metro; Sir Paresh Das and Ms Parveen Khan, Legal Aid Defence Counsels from the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA); Rev Fr Bivan Rodrigues Mukhim, Vice Provincial of the Salesian Province of Guwahati; and Rev Fr Lukose Cheruvalel SDB, Director of Snehalaya, alongside other members of civil society from Guwahati.
The dignitaries addressed the gathering, underlining the urgent need to bring all children into the safety of schools and prevent them from being pushed into the exploitative world of labour. They called for collective action by the government, NGOs, and citizens to eradicate child labour in all its forms.
A particularly moving part of the event was the testimony shared by two students who were once child labourers. They spoke about their journey of resilience and how Snehalaya’s intervention changed their lives by reintegrating them into the education system. In a powerful gesture of restitution, three boys were awarded cheques worth ₹35,000 each by the District Administration as compensation for the forced labour they had endured.
The children of Snehalaya performed a short, evocative skit highlighting the plight of child labourers and the transformative power of education and support, which added a poignant touch to the celebration.
The event concluded with a strong call to action: to accelerate efforts and ensure that every child enjoys the right to a safe, nurturing, and educational childhood — free from the burdens of labour.
News Contributor: Rev Fr Jerbasius Xalxo SDB
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