Father Leases Sons for Labor in Rajasthan Village; Teacher Rescues Them from Exploitation

Kotra, Udaipur- Alcoholism, illiteracy, and poverty often culminate in devastating circumstances for Adivasi families, with women and children frequently bearing the brunt of these hardships. Deprived of education, many children are forced into labor at a very young age, sometimes being traded away by their parents due to dire need or addiction.

A particularly heart-wrenching case has emerged from Kotda's Mandwa region. Laxman Khair, struggling with alcoholism, was abandoned by his wife who left his home leaving their two young children. Failing to amend his ways, Khair leased his children, Deetaram (11) and Kanaram (9), to the Rebaris of Vallali village in Pali district for thirteen thousand rupees per year in 2023. At the time, the children were just nine and seven years old.

The dire situation came to light through the efforts of Durga Ram Muwal, a teacher and social worker from the Government Higher Secondary School Railway Training, Udaipur.

Upon learning of the children's plight, Durga Ram visited Mandwa to investigate. After questioning Khair, he discovered the truth and traced the children to the Rebari contractor. Through arduous efforts, he uncovered that the seller and buyer were relatives.

With the support of the local villagers, Durga Ram pressed on with his mission to rescue the children. He negotiated with the contractor and managed to free them from their forced labor. The children revealed they had been herding sheep and maintaining the animals' enclosures, which had led to physical deformities due to constant walking.

Upon learning that the children wished for an education, Durga Ram enrolled them in the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Government High Primary Residential School in Badi, Udaipur.

The children are now receiving an education and have begun to find joy and hope in their new circumstances.