A child is a gift of God and the future of any nation. Childhood is the most beautiful and important stage of life, full of innocence, learning, and growth. Children are like soft clay—they take the shape given by parents, teachers, and society. They are curious, playful, and eager to learn new things every day. A child needs love, care, protection, and education to grow into a happy and responsible person. A safe and healthy environment helps a child to develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is the duty of all elders to understand children, guide them with patience, and support their dreams. Education is the key to a child’s future, and it should be given to every child, whether rich or poor, boy or girl. Unfortunately, many children in the world still suffer from poverty, child labour, and lack of education. We must stand up for their rights and ensure that every child gets a chance to live with dignity, freedom, and happiness. A smiling and educated child is the foundation of a strong and bright country.

Child labour means forcing children to work at a young age, often in dangerous or unhealthy conditions, instead of going to school and enjoying childhood. In the past, child labour was very common in many parts of the world, including India. Children were made to work in farms, factories, shops, and even in homes. They had to work for long hours, got very little money, and were treated badly. Many of them were poor and had no other choice because their families needed money to survive.

Over time, many people and governments realized that child labour is wrong and harmful. Laws were made to stop child labour and protect children’s rights. Organizations like the UNICEF and International Labour Organization (ILO) started working to reduce child labour. In India, the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act was passed, which bans children under 14 from working in most jobs.

Due to such laws and awareness, many changes have happened. More children are going to schools instead of working, and many poor families are getting help from the government through schemes like mid-day meals, free books, and scholarships. NGOs and social workers are also playing a big role in rescuing children from child labour and sending them to school.

Another big change is that people’s mindset is improving. Earlier, people did not see child labour as a problem. Now, more people understand that children should study and enjoy their childhood, not be forced to earn money. In cities, child labour has reduced a lot. However, in rural areas and small towns, child labour still exists, especially in farming, small shops, or house work.

Today, with the help of education, government rules, and public awareness, child labour is slowly decreasing. But there is still a long way to go. We all must speak up when we see child labour and support every child’s right to a safe and happy life. Children are not meant to work, but to learn, grow, and play. A country can only become truly developed when all its children are free from labour and are educated.