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Sunita Mahato (13), Rekha Kalindi (13) and Afsana Khatun (14), born in the family of bidi rollers and hawkers in one of the most backward districts of Bengal, will receive the National Bravery Award for Children on Republic Day.
“A year ago, my parents decided to marry me off. I came to know about this and told my classmate who informed my teacher. With the help of my friends and teachers, I was able to persuade my family,” said Sunita, who is studying in Class III and wants to become a teacher.
Rekha Kalindi (13) who had seen her elder sister getting married at the age of 11, however, was able to prevent herself from meeting the same fate. Daughter of a bidi roller, Rekha is excited about her visit to Delhi. She and her friends —Afsana and Sunita — received the letter of the bravery award just a few days ago. When The Indian Express spoke to them they were busy giving orders for their new dresses to participate in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
The National Bravery Award for Children is conferred on children below the age of 16. The award will be presented to them by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It includes a certificate, medal and cash prize and a scholarship for completing their schooling and even higher studies like engineering or medicine.
All the three girls before getting enrolled in a school were child labourers. The education helped them to muster courage to protest against their families’ wish.
Now, they are a part of 35-member girls’ group called Child Activist Initiative (CAI) and encourage other girls from resisting child marriage.
“No one asked these girls to campaign against child marriage. They themselves grouped together and went around villages counselling girls to resist child marriage,” said Prosenjit Kundu, Assistant Labour Commissioner of Purulia district.
This is not the first time that the efforts of these girls have come to the fore. On May 14 this year, Sunita, Afsana and Rekha met President Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
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The fact that Government legitimizes children rolling beedis is shameful. With touts and middlemen, money lenders and corrupt officials and the inhumane working conditions does harden them. Perhaps that explains the courage. People of India need to have the courage and get them out of this bondage. I hope Pranab Mukherjee who has been winning elections from these areas (or Oscar Fernandes from Mangalore, Praful Patel from Gondia and several others who live of poor women and children who roll beedis) should take note that socio-economic indicators do not speak much of his leadership or compassion.