If you had some, if not all, facilities while you were in school like adequate stationery, a neat uniform and if you didn’t have to work part-time as a kid, you belong to a very small section of society. 

We got to go to school and study in a well-lit room but a lot of children in India don’t have that privilege. 

In a country with an extreme poverty rate, it’s not uncommon to find a kid studying on the roadside, under a street light, while working with their parents to make ends meet.

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A retired IAS officer Anil Swarup also came across a picture of one such kid who was sitting on the roadside with presumably his father who was a cobbler. 

The poor kid is seen studying on a wooden plank while his father works beside him. 

He shared the picture on his Twitter account and captioned it, “Wow. This child will travel some distance. God bless him.”

Wow. This child will travel some distance. God bless him. pic.twitter.com/QrJiEFOmWR

— Anil Swarup (@swarup58) May 28, 2021

However, Twitter users found his tweet rather offensive and insensitive. 

They slammed the ex-bureaucrat for celebrating the struggles of the poor and romanticising poverty. 

“There is nothing in the picture to say 'wow' ! It simply reflects the sorry state of affairs particularly in education sector in our country,” A Twitter user wrote.

Another wrote, “He is not going to travel any distance. After few years he have to drop his study to support poor family or bcs fees of coaching institutions for any course are too much out of his reach. Don't woww to this. Go and help him or  kids like him.”

Sir... A child living in such deprived conditions, is not something to be glorified,rather a question mark is raised on the bureaucracy of this country, that they haven't been able to provide basic rights and dignity to all the citizens of India in last 75 years.

— Mohini (@mohini23451) May 28, 2021

Stop glorifying poverty and helplessness. The system should create better opportunities for everyone.

— kamlesh tajpuri (@ktajpuri) May 29, 2021

I don't think dis picture needs an applause. As a retired IAS you must be critical on d state of child labour depicted in dis picture. Why do they go only some distance,, why not go miles. Stop being so obscurant of depicting one sided accentuation of dis grim reality.

— navin nirala (@navinnirala11) May 28, 2021

Struggle of poor is entertainment for the privileged.

— Luffy (@SuvsisK) May 28, 2021

I don't think dis picture needs an applause. As a retired IAS you must be critical on d state of child labour depicted in dis picture. Why do they go only some distance,, why not go miles. Stop being so obscurant of depicting one sided accentuation of dis grim reality.

— navin nirala (@navinnirala11) May 28, 2021 

While the zeal and dedication of the kid is commendable, the situation needs to be condemned, especially by the people in power. 

Poverty is not to be glorified, but addressed rightfully by the authorities so that kids like him can build a better future for them. 

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While this kid deserves a pat on the back, what he and millions of other kids like him actually need is financial support, education facilities and opportunities.

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