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Taj Mahal is a monument that is of immense historical importance to our country. Of late our beloved Taj is under potential threat posed by environmental pollution. Taj Mahal also lost its status as one of the seven Wonders of the World.Last year we had an SMS contest where we voted whole heartedly to make Taj one of the “Wonders of the World”. Taj Mahal got the maximum number of votes and regained its lost status. But has Taj got back its lost glory?
Just outside the Taj Mahal there are lots of street children who earn their livelihood by selling small replica of Taj Mahal to the tourists who visit the historical place. Forget education they don’t even get food twice a day.
It is unfortunate that the city of Agra which is famous for its Taj Mahal is also infamous for housing child labor.
50,000 children below the age of 14 work in the glass bangle and glassware industry of Agra. This is one of the highest concentrations of child labor in the world. According to statistics provided by Indian government there are 20 million child laborers in the country, while other agencies claim that it is 50 million. 
It is time when we should do something for all children, who are denied their childhood. A day will come when Agra will be free of any form of child labor.. Perhaps that day our Taj Mahal will regain its lost glory.
Don’t we all need to act? May be just try changing our neighbourhoods and make it child friendly- where children go to school and not work!
Sourav Guha
A really good read! child labour is a menace in our country and unless it is approached from the lens of addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities of communities and essentiality of education for all children, a mere blanket statement of banning child labour won't yield results.. An informative article has recently been published highlighting the plight of child labours in cotton growing areas of the country. read on: http://www.indiatogether.org/2010/feb/hrt-cseed.htm
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