India’s children are #HungryForSchool

Child Labour in India has been a reality that we have all lived with, in the nation. From which ever strata of society to which we belong, we either directly or indirectly know of someone whose child does not have access to education because he/she is employed and contributing to running the household.


Today one in seven children belonging to the lowest and second lowest wealth index category are working. And most often children are employed in occupations that are physically and emotionally dangerous to them.

According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, 21 per cent of children are engaged in the sale of narcotics, 17 per cent in construction, 15 per cent as domestic workers and 11 per cent in spinning and weaving.

Today, on World Day against Child Labour, The Akshaya Patra Foundation has launched the initiative #HungryForSchool to raise awareness on the need to educate children in India. With the help of the Government, generous donors and other well-wishers, Akshaya Patra is shedding light on a way to free children from a cycle of poverty and labour. Highlighting the good that can come from education, this online campaign discusses what it takes to make a child enroll in school.

Take part in this campaign by joining the discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #HungryForSchool, or check out the Akshaya Patra Facebook page for daily updates, thought provoking discussions and much, much more.