Indian women's football team striker Bala Devi. - Twitter
Dubai - India's first female professional footballer is raising funds in the battle against child labour
Published: Fri 3 Jul 2020, 10:11 PM
Last updated: Sat 4 Jul 2020, 12:41 PM
She had a dream and is living it and she's making every effort to ensure that children in India can pursue theirs.
Child labour is an issue that Bala Devi feels so strongly about and the Indian women's football team striker is doing her bit to address it.
The 30-year-old, who became the first Indian female professional footballer when she was signed up by Scottish club Rangers FC, has taken time out during the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, to raise funds for the cause.
Devi, who hails from the pristine hills of Manipur, part of the 'Seven Sisters' (now eight with the inclusion of Sikkim) that form the beautiful north-east of India, is juggling preparing for the Scottish Premier League away in Glasgow, with helping children back in India.
"I have experienced how the lack of amenities and access hampers the growth of children and becomes a barrier in them achieving their dreams," Bala told the All India Football Federation's website www.the-aiff.com on Friday.
"It is prevalent all around us and everyone knows it. No child deserves to have to do that," she said.
Statistics show that over 33 million children in India are victims of child labour.
Bala Devi, who was inspired to take up football because of her father Ngangom Manihar Singh, said that it is upto us to chart the future of these children.
"Children have their dreams, be it completing their education, or entering the world of sports," said Bala Devi, who represented the Manipur Police Sports Club in the Indian Women's League and was adjudged the Women's Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
"By sending them to work from such an early age, we only hamper that dream. I urge everyone to join in on this effort and help save our kids from child labour," added Bala Devi, who had impressed Rangers FC at a trial and was award an 18-month contract.
Bala Devi has joined hands with Indian NGO CRY (Child Rights and You) India and have so far raised 15,832 Indian rupees out of the 1 lakh Indian rupees (Dh 791 out of Dh 5000).
Talking about initiative, Bala Devi said on the fund-raising page: "I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well during this time of crisis. As we all know the lockdown is now easing across the country, however, the crisis is far from being over. The Coronavirus pandemic will leave a trail of destruction for India's underprivileged children in its wake.
I was appalled when I found out that India already had over 33 million child labourers, between the ages of 6 and 18 years. Given the loss of livelihoods during the lockdown, this number will rapidly rise as more underprivileged children are forced to work and support their families. A situation that will not only deprive them of going back to school and chase their dreams but also leave them severely vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
CRY (Child Rights and You) is working towards identifying and handling such cases in the remotest corners of India. They're also ensuring such children are able to go to school instead of work.
I believe in the work that CRY does - they are India's most trusted NGO and have worked for underprivileged children for over 41 years. This is why I'm trying to help them raise funds in this crucial time to help those who need it the most.
Please do support my effort by donating an amount of your choice to this fundraiser. No contribution is too small and will make a big difference, by giving India's most vulnerable children a chance at a brighter future in a Covid world."
james@khaleejtimes.com
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