Children of labourers yearn to go back home

Mumbai: Children who have been brought to Ambadi village, Bhiwandi tehsil, from their villages by their kin are yearning to go back to be among their friends once more and complete their education.

Neela Rajhe and Vasu Rajhe, siblings from Mokhada village in Palghar district, were brought by their relatives to help with the work and earn some money for the family.

While Vasu has completed class 11, Neela is yet to clear her class 8 examinations. Talking to The Asian Age, Vasu said, “We came here two days ago. Our relatives brought us here, as they wanted us to help the family earn money. I am okay with being here, but my sister is very upset and she has stopped talking to anyone from the day she was told about coming here.”

“Some of our family members are still back there in our village and we seriously wish to go back to them and continue with our regular life,” Vasu said, while Neela continued to stay mum.

Another labourer, who hails from Nashik, has a three-year-old son who is suffering from chickenpox, but the family lacks the wherewithal to give him medication. When The Asian Age visited the spot, the child, Jiten, was placed in an unhygienic spot inside a dilapidated building. “Our child has become very quiet these days and we miss his cheerfulness. We are trying to collect money so that we can take him to a doctor,” said Jiten’s father.

Several other villagers have brought their children to increase the workforce and ensure more money is made. “Since we don’t know when we will be returning back to our village, it is better that we bring our children with us here,” said Shubash Gorge, a villager from Amravati district.