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In
search for petty living Naseer Hussain, an 11 year old boy is
brought at Nongalbibra in South Garo Hills of Meghalaya by his
uncle Nurul Hussain – a truck driver for engaging him in a job
at a coal quarry.
The
story of Hussain begins, its' four years now. He is 15 years old
and is employed as a servant to the truck drivers cooking food
and washing cloths. Staring his earning from Rs. 150/-, now he
earns Rs. 500/- a month to add to the income of his family
staying away from home.
Hussain,
who studied till class III with an ambition of becoming a Doctor
in a remote
village
of
Bihar
's Dharbanga District never knew till he was here that all his
dreams was shattered.
Hussain
who plans to continue his studies given an opportunity now feels
to do coal business. As he had to say that he can earn money and
there was a big opportunity for him. This is only a dream
though.
But
the story is not about his dreams, but a question  which
needs to be answered "How young children below the age of
14 years are engaged in such a harmful area for work?"
The
medical science will have many things to answer about the health
hazard in the area where coal mining takes places. But one
simple observation made by this visiting scribe in the area
gives an impression that the place is dangerous for living. It
can live you with skin allergic problems, eye soaring, breathing
problem, etc, etc.
Though
Hussain says that he has no complains about the atmosphere, as
he is adapted to the environment. His physical attire explains
everything.
Syed
Ali of Dhubri District in Assam, 30 who is engaged in working at
the coal quarry for the last eighteen years had to say on this
"I had some health problem earlier, but now there is no
more complains", he said in Bangla dialect as he added
"to survive we have to do anything and everything".
He
now works as a Manager. However, his physical appearance gives
an impression that he is above 40 years of age.
Like
Hussain there are examples of many young children who are living
here with their families engaged or not engaged in working, with
no education whatsoever.
Is
Sarva Shiksha Abiyan not meant for these children of the migrant
labourers?
This
is not only a single question, which need to be addressed. There
are dozens of others. Disturbing indeed, as the nation is said
to be marching ahead for development.
Now,
it's up to the Government to wake up from its slumber and start
solving these questions.
It
can be mentioned that Nongalbibra is one of the most prominent
site for coal mining in the state of Meghalaya that has invited
labourers from neighboring
Assam
and other states of the country, with cases of illegal migrants
from
Bangladesh
and
Nepal
.
Saidul Khan is a
journalist and based in Meghalaya state. He can be reached at
shanu.saidul@gmail.com
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