Child labourer

Khem Lal Khaterji was once a child labourer in Uttar Pradesh, who was abused and tortured. Today, his organisation SAANS (Shramik Adhikar Aur Nyaya Sangathan) is rescuing others from the same plight.

“I was born in a family in Nizamabad with no financial means to support me at all. Very early on in life, I realised that I would have to fend for myself and also help my family in whatever way I could.”

"We found vagrant kids working in fishing factories, scrap yards, chai shops, shoe polish stalls and even as domestic help or ragpickers. We brought them together and sat them in a class."

Shailendra has been nominated for his outstanding work in stopping child marriages and putting an end to child labour in his village.

This video will tell you the stories of former child slaves in India- their background, their dreams and aspirations.