Growing up in a Toy Prison

At the tender age of 10, Lakhan took one of the wisest decisions of his life. He decided to stay back in Prayas Observation Home for juveniles than to go back to his family. Today, he makes his living by giving dance tuitions to children of the Jahangirpuri resettlement colony in North Delhi area.

He can still recall the day when he was brought to this observation home by the police. “I was beaten up by my uncle because I hit my cousin. At that time, I decided to run away from home. I used to stay at Narela with my mother and my maternal uncle’s family”, says Lakhan.

There are many children like Lakhan who run away from home, have lost their families or have entered into some kind of criminal activity. Juvenile Justice board act of 1986, puts such children in two categories i) children in need of care and protection and ii) children in conflict with law. It is also mandatory to keep children from both the categories at separate homes as they need to be dealt differently.

Childline is a helpline number for children which works for children at risk. After being brought to the observation home by police or Childline officials, they are put through counselling sessions under the supervision of social workers and child psychologists. Usama Aslam, Programme Assistant with Childline India foundation, a project undertaken by Ministry of Women and Child Development says, “These children have the same aspirations and ambitions as all of us have. The only difference is they don’t have the opportunities to realise their potentials”.

“In India, the word ‘Juvenile’ itself is considered equivalent to a criminal. Such children are given a second division treatment by our society. This harsh attitude agitates them and deters them in mingling with the mainstream.” says Zaheer Ilias from Prayas.

But Pradeep Kumar, a Child Welfare Officer, believes that it’s a failure on the part of the judiciary and the executive. “We are unable to get 100% children out of the observation homes because the law and the policy-makers deal with the juvenile cases in the similar manner as they deal with the professional criminals. A change in the attitude and societal reform is also required to protect these children”.

“If you provide opportunities to these children and present a role model to them, it gets easier to bring them back in the mainstream society- to be accepted, to be seen and valued” Kumar said.

Shahbaz Khan Sherwani from HAQ centre for Child Rights says that even the police do not follow the guidelines given by the JJ Act. Police uses these children as insiders to tap the local history-shelters as well. As per the JJ Act guidelines, Juvenile homes should be used to rehabilitate these children. But we hardly see this happening.

However, this does not deter the children in their efforts to connect to the mainstream and have whatever little chance they have for having fun. They get a chance to celebrate, dance, sing and perform as a respite. And that is the reason that national festivals are of great importance to these kids and not because they are filled with patriotism. As Children’s Day is approaching, the glow in their eyes can be clearly seen. They have started rehearsing for plays, songs, dance and speeches for the event. “I love dancing and Hrihtik Roshan is my favourite dancer”, said Sahil, a 9-year old boy from one such observation homes. “Main bada hoke hero banunga (I’ll become an actor when I grow up).”



Lakhan, after all the bitter memories, now wants to open a dance academy of his own and live a normal life.

Not a good idea Sirji !

“I feel handicapped. It feels that my limbs have been cut,” says Mayank one of those 30 lakh customers in New Delhi whose mobile connection has been stopped by their telecom service provider.

The Home Ministry of India has asked the telecom companies to resubmit the identity proofs of many of their customers. “The subscribers will have to resubmit their documents like photographs, address proofs as well as the identity proof”, an executive from a telecom company said, requesting anonymity.

In this fast shrinking world, mobile phones have become indispensible. It has become an integral part of our everyday existence and it is unimaginable to be living without a mobile. A mobile phone is no more a luxury but a necessity. But this re-verification drive is creating havoc for many mobile users.

Surendra , an executive from a renowned telecom company told e-zine that this decision was taken by the government of India and they were only executing it. “This is being done only for security purposes.” he said.

Customers received messages stating that they would have to resubmit their documents as it was incorrect or incomplete. These text messages from the mobile companies have users up in arms. “They are saying our documents are not correct. If this was the case then why did they not verify it before issuing the SIM cards. It is not at all our fault,” says Fahim one of the users who has been asked to resubmit his documents.

Rajiv, an IAS aspirant said, “I came to Delhi two years back, and I was allotted the connection on one of my friend’s ID. The major problem is he doesn’t stay in Delhi anymore and I don’t have the requisite documents.” The same problem is also faced by many other mobile users. “I hope that they don’t discontinue my connection. That will really be a nuisance!” Rajiv wailed.

While users are complaining about the inconvenience caused to them, telecom companies are defending their stand. “Companies are abiding by the norms and policies which they are forced to follow. For such users, we have a system of owner transfer-ship” says Faizan an executive from a telecom company.

“Whatever be the issue, it is us who are getting severely affected. They must send customer support for collecting the necessary documents. I have completed all the formalities at the time of getting the number, why should I do it all over again?” Rajiv asked echoing a common feeling.

Subscribers who fail to provide their documents by the deadline of October 31st stand to lose their connection. “This is a matter of great concern for telecom companies as well, deactivation of connections will also affect the profitability of the companies” an official of a telecom company said.