The colorless lives of bangle makers

Driven by poverty, these small kids are trained by their parents in their traditional profession of glass and bangle making to earn more money for the family.

"We do feel that it is not good for our children to share the responsibiliy of augementing the family income, but when the question of meeting the family needs comes, slogans and bill boards against child labour do not work," Ghansayam, whose three children help him in the work, told a group of visiting journalists.

"If my daughter does not work what will she do? Moreover, the habit of earning will help her in future to be on her own," Radha, whose daughter Rekha too makes bangles, said.

Firozabad known for its centuries-old tradition and occupation of glass and bangle work has also the dubious distinction of housing a large number of child labourers working in factories and household units.

A survey conducted in 1995-96 estimated that over 21,000 child labourers were working in some 460 registered and over thrice as many in unregistered units. The figure of child labourers provided by NGOs is about 20-25 thousand.