Children found selling toys, begging amid festive fervour

Mysuru: On the one hand, Mysuru Dasara is an event that showcases, with unbridled gusto and pomp, the rich heritage of Karnataka, a celebration that draws visitors from across the globe to partake of this show of solemn and pious grandeur. On the other hand though, the festivities are a means for many families to earn a very significant portion of their annual income. Much like the tourists, traders and hawkers from across the country flock to Mysuru during the annual fete. But unlike the former, partaking of the festivities is incidental for the traders, for whom the Naada Habba is a source of subsistence.
From balloons to rustic musical instruments, and decorative trinkets to toys, the huge assortment of items they have to offer is as much a reflection of the diversity of the country they represent – in addition to neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, hawkers from far away Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Rajasthan, can be found milling about some of the city’s most popular tourist sites. However, their journey across long distances is wrought with worrying aspects. Since most of these hawkers are accompanied by their children, the young ones find themselves pressed into the job as well, mostly selling toys.
Mysuru city police, along with officials of the child helpline, and personnel from the woman and child welfare department, recently conducted a drive to rescue children being pressed into labour. In all, 15 children, and five women found begging on the streets were rescued. The rescued children were subsequently admitted to rehabilitation homes.
Under the glittering streets of the Heritage City, one finds scores of children running between vehicles, importuning motorists to purchase the trinkets they are selling. Piteous though this sight is, it is as much a nuisance for the motorists and tourists to the city.
Director of Odanadi Seva Samsthe, L Parashuram, also a former member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, told TOI that the organisation had written to the Child Welfare Committee to take cognisance of the problem. “The sight of children selling toys or begging on streets has become disturbingly commonplace during festivals. Since the Naada Habba was scaled down the last two years owing to Covid, we had not seen this, but with the festival being held on a grand scale this year, vendors, and their children have thronged Mysuru in large numbers,” Parashuram said.
Mysuru additional deputy commissioner, BS Manjunathaswamy said that officials would be directed to educate vendors not to force their children into labour.