The Children Working On Indian Coal Mines

This paragraph introduces the harsh reality of child labor in the coal mines of Meghalaya, India. Bicash, a young boy, is depicted getting ready for a day's work in the mines, contrasting with children attending school. Bicash and his friend Laka, known as Mlo, navigate the treacherous conditions of the 'rat hole' mines, which are unregulated and unsafe, relying on cheap migrant labor. The children work in extreme conditions without any protective gear or training, facing the risk of injury and death.

The second paragraph highlights the efforts of Hina K, an advocate for child miners in Meghalaya, who has been working tirelessly for the past seven years. As the leader of Impulse, a non-government organization fighting human trafficking, she aims to understand the situation of Bicash's family and his younger brother. Hina's goal is to encourage parents to allow her to take the children out of the mines and back to school. She faces challenges from the state government, which is reluctant to acknowledge the widespread disregard for child labor laws and the dire conditions in the mines.

This paragraph delves into the complexities of the mining industry in Meghalaya, where powerful individuals own the mines and often resist policy changes that could improve conditions. Hina's organization has documented evidence of underage children working in the mines, but the government and mine owners question the credibility of these findings. The paragraph also discusses the difficulty in identifying and confronting mine owners, who are often influential and connected to the state's ruling class.

The focus of the fourth paragraph is on the rescue operation led by Hina, which involves taking Bicash and his brother back to Nepal. The journey is fraught with challenges, including a long drive and a train ride. Once in Nepal, Hina hands over the boys to Mighty Nepal, a partner organization that runs a children's shelter. The decision is made to place the boys in a boarding school to prevent them from returning to the mines, despite concerns about their father's potential interference.

The final paragraph marks a new chapter in Bicash and Bishal's lives as they begin their education at a boarding school. The boys, who have had limited schooling in the past, will need to catch up academically. The principal of the school will assess their current level of education to determine how to best support their learning. The boys' dreams of attending school are finally realized, and they are hopeful for a future that does not involve working in the mines.