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Voices From The Street
McFadyen has made a praiseworthy attempt to sum up the lives of these kids in Voices from the Street. Given this Canadian anthropologist’s deep concern for street children in India, her first book on the topic will soon be followed by another one on similar lines. Many of the previous studies that have been conducted on the subject have been limited to the similarities among children who lose their childhood fighting for their needs on the streets. These studies overlook the cultural and social differences among them. Their individual experiences, family set-up and societal values, all mould their outlook and behaviour. McFadyen sheds new light on the topic. She discusses how the children make choices within the framework of restricting circumstances. The author time and again stresses the fact that all children are not alike. She basically deals with the children who frequent Hanuman Mandir and the New Delhi Railway Station in the Capital. Even within that area of just six blocks, the children differ greatly. Dealing with them on a one-to-one basis, she tries to map their unique circumstances. Girls have been left out of this study as they are particularly vulnerable on the streets and avoid any unnecessary trouble by staying away from the epicentre of such studies. The author studies the manner in which these children make their own social organisations and identify themselves with reference to the area in which they live. It regards them as social agents who bring about changes in their own lives as well as that of others. They live outside the generally accepted definition of childhood and outgrow theirs’ quickly, taking on more productive adult roles. According to the author, contrary to popular perception, these children are not missing their childhood; they are just living it differently. A majority of these kids are runaways who have left their homes for reasons as diverse as abusive parents or masters, lack of freedom and a desire to prove that they can do something important with their lives. Many miss their homes and wish to go back but do not do so because they are scared of their parents or because they want to achieve something before going back. They make do with what they can manage and are always on the lookout for greener pastures. McFadyen tries to delve into their minds. She takes active part in their daily lives and goes to the extent of providing them with cameras so that they can capture the images they feel best represent them. These photographs are used in the book and do not elicit the usual response of pity that we associate with street children. The reader is introduced to pictures of children who are living a childhood according to their rules and their impish smiles speak volumes. The author effectively uses stories narrated by these children in the first person. One feels surprised at how these young children go through a variety of life altering experiences and how they manage, at this tender age, to be better travelled than children from economically stronger families. She is bothered by the general apathy of hospital staff and other people in positions of authority towards them. Though the book is a rewarding read, many printing errors detract from its credibility. Although the book is meant mainly for specialists, activists and generalists, it could be an eye opener for even the average reader. |
WESTERN media often portrays India as a country which
has little more to it than potholed roads, semi-clad sadhus and hungry
children. Street children have aroused much interest from various
quarters but little has actually been done to understand their plight
and give back to them their carefree childhood.