The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Painting an indelible message: child labour should go

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 09, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Painting an indelible message: child labour should go

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, SEPT. 8. The inclement weather did not dampen their spirit. Nearly 1,000 students drawn from 600 city schools had assembled at the Valluvar Kottam auditorium here right from 9 a.m. for an on-the-spot painting competition on the theme "Child Labour and Child Rights" organised by the State Labour department.

The standard IX and X students, including from Government and Corporation schools, sent their message loud and clear: eradicate child labour from the State. Put an end to this evil menace.

The participants were engrossed in a riot of colour, coming out with new ideas. "We want India and Tamil Nadu in particular to be a pioneer in eradication of child labour", said R. Ramesh, a standard IX student from a Corporation School, who was busy giving finishing touches to his work showing candidly how a child was engaged in the mushrooming fastfood joints in the city.

Several school children vividly painted the seriousness of the menace in hazardous industries.

The Labour department said the competition was held to create greater awareness among the masses of the menace and especially to educate the younger generation.

Awards to teachers

Coinciding with this occasion, the Best School Teachers Award was given to more than 10 teachers from special schools in recognition of their meritorious service.

M.B. Pranesh, Principal Labour and Employment Secretary, gave away the awards and spoke on the importance of eradication of child labour and the steps initiated by the Tamil Nadu Government in accomplishing this challenge.

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