International Day of Working People
Celebrating the dignity of every trade, instilling respect from an early age.
Although the caste system in India was legally abolished decades ago, it continues to weigh heavily on everyday life. Passed-on social structures still condition the academic, work and life opportunities of millions of people. Many Scheduled Caste families today almost quietly take this unfair social order as a given.
At Asha-Kiran, we believe that awareness is a prerequisite to any profound transformation, so, on the International Day of Working People, we held a special day at our Day Care Centers to highlight the dignity of honorable work and the essential contribution of those who, from inconspicuous trades, help underpin daily life.
The session was a happy and educational tribute where children and parents came together to open their eyes to a more equitable and grateful look towards their own and others’ work.
The activities included:
- an inspiring story about a working man whose values – effort, honesty and perseverance – shaped his path,
- a dressing-up activity where the little ones pretended to be bricklayers, sweepers, farmers, domestic workers... to acknowledge the social importance of these often invisible trades,
- moments of gratitude when the children made cards and drew pictures for the Center's workers – cooks, cleaners, security guards – as tokens of their respect and affection,
- a brief explanatory talk on the diversity of occupations and their relevance in society, regardless of their prestige or remuneration,
- and a round of testimonials from working mothers and fathers to exemplify true models of diligence and dignity for their children.
We believe that sowing seeds of respect in children for all honest work is an act of justice. We believe that acknowledging the work of those who sustain our daily lives is a first step towards a more humane and equitable society.
Let us continue to weave, one thread at a time, a social fabric where each person knows their worth, and where each trade is given the deference it deserves.