Delhi’s labor kids, street children and rag-pickers are doing a tremendous job. They are the reporters and publishers of their self – owned newspaper “Baalaknama.” Here’s the story:
“Where there is a will there is a way” or “Age is just the numbers” are all those proverbs which fit accurately to these kids. They have crossed the barriers of their age as well as the misconception what kids cannot accomplish.
It’s the story of these Delhi’s labor and rag-picker kids who are publishing and selling their own newspaper named “Baalaknama”. The story is totally a different and interesting one from what one can expect from any kid.
Chandni, chief editor of Balaknama, started this work when she was just 5. Chandni’s father died when she was quiet young, which made her responsible to feed her family and the circumstances led her to become a rag-picker. But, then she had her own dreams which led her to work this way.
The newspaper publishes the news about child abuse, child crime and child labor. The reporting network is spread across Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. They have a team of 2 reporters in every area who collect news from their designated areas. Most of the team members are rag-pickers or labors.
The main area of concern is that till now more than 10000 kids have been joined the team as reporters. Those who cannot write narrate their news orally. Those who are 18 years and above are appointed as advisors in the newspaper.
An NGO named Chetna is also helping these kids in accomplishing their mission. At times these kids distribute free copies of their newspaper too so that their news can reach people at large.
The price for the newspaper is set for ₹ 2/- only, which is much cheaper than any other newspaper. These kids are engaged in their initiative towards creativity and journalism which will provide them a healthier life safe from robbery, begging, rag-picking and other child crimes.
Also read a similar story of 9 years old Hilde Lysiak, a self made reporter and a publisher of Orange Street News in Pennsylvania .
Above story also reminds me of 10-Years-Old Ishita Katyal who says, “Instead of asking children what they want to do in future, ask them what they want to do now. Ask them their vision for a better world. Ask them what they are doing to change this world. Ask them the real life problems they are solving. This will allow you all to empower a new generation to go faster than any generation ever has.”
“We can do a lot in this moment, in the present. The problem is our world has many forces working against the dreams of children.” says Ishita Katyal, the youngest Indian Ted-X Speaker.
All these kids are a big source of inspiration to others and we wish them good-luck in all their future endeavors.
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