TITLE: Struggling Childhood

Child labour is a crime to humanity which has become a curse to the society and also slows down the growth of a nation. Who does not want to enjoy their childhood? Children want to play, get good education, grow and become a responsible individual but here one can see that these children are forced into child labour by their own family members. Main cause of child labour is poor background, poverty, illiteracy, poor living standards, backwardness, lack of proper guidance and ineffective law and lack of government support. I was on my way to capture the grandeur of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, when I saw these children in desperation, which is seen on their faces, to sell custard apples on the road side. I stopped and decided to photograph these children and also talk to them that why they are not in school but are at this time on road selling custard apples. The story I heard from few children is frightening but I will narrate few. One said that his dad is a drunkard and she is forced to earn money to fulfil his drinking habits. If she refuses than she is beaten and she does not want to be on the receiving end so she choses to sell custard apples. Another one said that her father is no more and her Mum struggles to meet the ends so she has no choice but to support her mum to bring food on the table. Through this photographs I have tried to bring the stories of few who are forced into child labour even though they should be in a class room as I believe that they are the future of a nation. By converting these photographs to black & white I think their emotions are felt more.

AUTHOR: Falguni Marwadi (India)

I am a primary school teacher in the District of Bhavnagar, Gujarat state, India. I am a passionate photographer and love to roam new places, meet new people and understand their culture and traditions. And by photographing them I help in preserving their identity for future generations.