State, Civil Society and the Eradication of Child Labour in Karnataka

The combined effort of the Karnataka state government and civil society to eradicate child labour in the state is an interesting phenomenon. After a Herculean effort to rescue and rehabilitate child labourers, both the above actors attempt to "mainstream" them, i e, admit them to regular government schools. The "mainstreaming" becomes the ultimate goal of the entire attempt to eradicate child labour. This is often of limited impact and of uncertain outcome.