By Viju Mangalore for Daijiworld News Network

Mangalore, Jan 30: "Do not burn crackers even for festivals for they are made by children who are forced into child labor," were the conviction filled words by Nagraj to Mangaloreans. The 11 year old boy from the border town in Andra Pradesh, a school dropout and a former child laborer today is a campaigner against child labor, gave an insight into the problem of child labour to the social workers gathered at Spandana 2k6, the national seminar at School of Social Work Roshni Nilaya on Sunday.

He was a part of the team of Indian children of Bornfree Art School, Banglaore which recently wrote the biggest letter of love to the children of Pakistan (a 120 yards by 240 yards) calling for children of both nations to join hearts to create a peaceful world. The team of over 13 children who were formerly child labourers on Sunday spread their message to childrenize the world, in Mangalore.

A presentation of song, music and play on the theme Childrenise the World had its impact on the students of social work and staff from various colleges of India.  Spartacus returns is a grand music spectacle on the issue of the liberalization of the modern slavery-the working and street children. The musical seeks to create history of the working children drawing a parallel with Spartacus in the I st century BC fighting roman imperialism and the modern child slaves fighting globalization.

The crowd jointed the troupe in loud acclamation “I am Spartacus…I am Spartacus” voicing their support to the movement against child labour.

The troupe had performed the same ballet before a crowd of 50,000 at the World social forum in Mumbai, Global Congress of child labour at Florence and before 8,500 children from 25 schools at St Xavier's Church, Bangalore.

Art director John Devaraj who led the team said that although there is a law against child labor, the civil society does not accept it as a crime. Thus, there is a need for deep-rooted solutions where in the culture of the society and perception of the adults need to be changed. He further called each one to relive their childhood in the act of liberating children from child labor.

The team, which was accompanied by co-ordinators of Gondwanaland Foundation Mioi Nakayma and Vrata Chinmulgund and Randal, an artiste from California also put up a mime show called Kite.
Prior to the presentation the team was introduced to the audience and was welcomed by principal of School of Social Work Roshni Nilaya Jacinta D’Souza.

The team consisted of

Jayaram is a17 years old from J.P. Nagar a son of a coolie worker and a domestic worker. His worked in the bar and washed dishes. Fled from workplace and joined the streets and get addicted to the drugs. He was jailed since he has stolen piles of bullets. After the release, joined APSA and completed NCLP. Passed the 7th standard. He is very good at painting, drawing, sculpting, dancing and theater and in taking care of the accounts of children’s hostel.

11 years old Nagaraj from Andra Pradesh dropped out at the 4th standard and was away from home since 8 years old. Traveled by doing circus from Andra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu with 11 members of the family. He Ran away from parents and worked for a while in the cloth company in TN and then came alone to Bangalore. There he worked as a domestic laborer at several houses and came to APSA for a while. In APSA, studied NCLP, but because of no interests in studies he ran away to the streets in Jayanagar. Picking rags and got addicted to drugs heavily on the streets. Now studying at BAS and has become a model speaker on behalf of working and street children. He is good at photography, sculpture-making and painting.

Arun was selling cucumbers at the street theatre festival in Mumbai and was liberated by Satish a physically disabled child labourer

Madhu a 16 years old boy worked in a bulb factory and came to the streets in Jayangar and did rag picking. Also got into heavy drug addiction. His Greatest achievement at the moment is to come out of the drug addiction. A good drummer now and also teaches drums at BOSCO Mane and is good at sports such as basketball and hockey.

Raja K is a 16 years old from Tumkur. He left school from 3rd standard because his mother was suffering from typhoid. Since his mother used to beat him he left home and was cleaning the floor and begging on the train. He came to Jayanagar at the age of 10 and became a rag picker. Then joined APSA. He is a self-trained flutist and very good in drawing, painting and sculpting.

Fifteen-year-old Raja J has no parents and was in Jayanagar as a rag picker. He joined APSA became a member of Hasiru Sangha, a children’s rights club for a year. He went back streets. One of the BAS students picked him up and took him to the school. Raja is very good at drawing and painting.

Anand, a 14 years old is from J.P.Nagar and used to chop coconuts and sell them since his 2nd standard while going to the school. A school drop out cared for his alcoholic father. Later became a rag picker and joined BAS. His interests lie in music, especially the mouth percussion.

Prashanth R, a 12 years old was born in the city market. A school dropout after parents passed away sold flowers at the market and came to Jayanagar. In Jayanagar, ticketed at the parking lot and later joined APSA. He is good at painting and drawing.

13 years old Anthony Das from J.P.Nagar worked at a shop to help his grandmother. He was picked up by APSA staff and joined APSA. He Joined the Bornfree School Camp in April 2005.

Ravi Kiran 11 years old boy worked in the garage, repairing the drums of the trucks at a tender age of 5. Was addicted to drugs. He is interested in studying.

Muniyappa is a 16 years old from Srirangpathna who ran away from school when he was in 4th standard. He worked at the construction site for a year and came to the streets of Jayanagar. For 5 years he was on the streets and did rag picking. Later joined APSA, but had no interests in NCLP but developed interest in sculpture making.

Jalali a 12 years old came to Bangalore from Raichur with his mother. A school dropout, he came to BAS to sell tea. He is interested in drawing and painting and wants to study English.

Prakash, a 12 years old studied  6th standard in Malur and came to Bangalore and worked as a coolie in Malleshwaram. Begged with a handicapped boy and later went to the painting factory was beaten by the owner. Prakash wants to become a singer and study.

Raju is a 16 years old from Srirangpathnam He was employed in a hotel.

The children are students of Bornfree Art School International (BASI) located at the St Josephs Indian High School, Vittal Mallya road, Bangalore 560001

The BASI is a special school exclusively for street and working children, freed bonded labor children granted by the Department of Labour, Government of Karnataka The objective is to educate and develop these children through the Arts. Making them into professionals. They share their experiences, express themselves and contribute to the understanding of child labor and for its final elimination, a 100 million in India and 246 million in the world. Sculpture, Painting, Photography, Music, Theater, Contemporary dance, film and Videography is taught here.

To join their campaign to childrenise the world and fight against child labour contact John Devaraj on mobile number +91-80-9886306366 or email at bornfreeart@gmail.com