dateline March 28, 1998 09:19hrs EST

GOA newspapers have recently reported a set of stories related to children and the abuse meted out to them.

The first is the news item from [Goa Velha's Zoullo Udo hill where concerned citizens protested at this wanton use of Child Labour ].

According to my knowledge of India's Constitution, the employment of children for the purposes of labour is illegal. Yet ! Goa is full of this form of abuse which has become worse over the years.

Initially it was the 'adoption' of children. I personally know that a number of adoptions were and are genuine. In these situations the adopted child is treated like a member of the family. But far too many children were and no doubt are 'adopted''posgem' for use as servants ! Often the treatment meted out to them was harsh.

With the advent of 'the Indianization' of Goa ...came the Udipi restaurants and the construction crews. Hundreds of children, some as young as 5 years work enormously long hours with little food and even less rest. These children are deprived of schooling and their childhood.

With the 'tourist' boom came another set of abuses ! Young children are now being submitted to maiming for the purposes of begging, paedophilia and prostitution.

I believe that we can put silicon all over Goa....but this abuse of children will come to haunt Goa through an upsurge of violence.

Then there was this story about another child !

[SIX-YEAR-OLD RIDES MOBIKE: A second standard student of Madonna Primary School of Fatorda, Akash Telagu, stopped hearts when he performed a dare-devil motorcycle riding show on the Don Bosco school grounds in Fatorda. Wonder boy Akash rode the motorcycle blindfolded, zig-zagging through the inferno of a blazing fire in front of a huge gathering. He has entered the national records, being the youngest rider participating in national motorsports events at Pune, Mangalore and Kerala at the age of five.]

Are we really serious about this?. A six year old on a motor-bike and that too.....blindfolded !!! Does this child have a license to ride this vehicle ?

Reminds me of the young American girl killed last year in an attempt to be the youngest!! person to fly a plane. When will we ever learn ?!

Another story revealed that:

[RUNAWAY SCHOOLGIRL CRIES HARASSMENT: A ten-year-old schoolgirl was found crying near Margao city. A good samaritan brought the girl to the police station, where she told her story. She was a boarder in a Margao school and was trying to get home to Porvorim because she could not handle the harassment meted out to her by her superior. The school representative was called, but the girl categorically refused to go back unless she was put into a different division. The representative agreed in the presence of the police. The girl ran away from the school after answering her exams.]

Somebody better look into this story.....there is more to this story than just school phobia !.

The most intriguing part of the story however is the following:

[Police Inspector Waman Tari, who has some knowledge of child psychology, is of the opinion that children generally suffer stress at exam time and then show a tendency to lie.]

Give me a break Waman ! Please refer this child to a social worker or a person who has more than 'some knowledge' of Child Psychology ! You know what they say...a little knowledge can be dangerous ! !!It is !!

Finally :

There is this [ 'police report' which says that 4 foreigners committed suicide by injecting themselves with drugs. Two of these were children aged 4 and 7 years ] !!!!

Anything is possible in this world ! but WHAT pray are the chances of these two little ones aged 4 and 7 years....committing suicide by injecting 'themselves' with drugs ??!! Mr. Chief of Goa Police ...over to you SIR !!!! You see suicide...I believe differently !

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Jose