In Galyat, poverty-stricken children forced to sell flowers
Family members claim they cannot afford to send children to school.
ABBOTABAD:
The picturesque Galyat Valley, known for its serene and pleasant atmosphere, attracts hundreds of picnickers from different parts of the country. However, the exquisitely designed head-sized rings made from wildflowers are also a major source of attraction for those visiting the valley.
These rings are mostly sold by children, who can be seen running after customers along the roads to the valley.
“Sir please buy these flowers from me. They are fresh and beautiful. Please buy them as a gift of this valley. They are not so expensive,” is how these children convince their customers, running after vehicles without realising the hazards they face.
One can see dozens of such children on the way to the chairlift in Ayubia, carrying bundles of flower rings woven with the branches of fresh wildflowers of different eye-catching colours. The scene reminds one of June 14, the Iranian National Flowers Day, when hundreds of children can be seen selling flowers on roads.
Although these flowers do not have much fragrance, they fascinate most of the visitors, who buy different sized rings and enjoy taking snapshots with them.
These wildflowers grow in the forests of Nathiagali, Ayubia and their surrounding areas during summer season, which serve as a boon for poor flower vendors till the arrival of winters.
The vendors, who hail from underdeveloped districts of Kohistan, migrate to Nathiagali during summer season to sell these flowers.
Most of the rings are bought by women and children, who are easily convinced by these enterprising youngsters trying their best to sell their product.
“I don’t know what to do with this ring. But I bought it to support the poor young boy who prefers to earn a respectable living rather than begging on streets and because it has been beautifully designed,” said Anila Bibi, a visitor from Islamabad.
It has also been observed that these children are assisted by their family members, who help them arrange the flowers into rings. Their skill in changing the branches of wildflowers into rings without damaging the flowers is so complicated that one is forced to believe that these people are trained in ikebana (a Japanese art of flower arrangement).
Their craftsmanship, coupled with the marketing techniques of youngsters, forces the picnickers to purchase the rings.
Kajeer Khan, 11, who sells these rings said he is able to earn Rs250 to Rs300 daily, adding that his elder brother Ajeer Khan makes around Rs400 everyday.
About the difference in their income, he said his brother could run faster than him, due to which he made more money.
“Running fast and covering maximum cars means earning better,” he claimed, adding that during winter season, his family moves to Abbottabad or Mansehra, where he sells shopping bags or scavenges streets.
Responding to a question, he said he wanted to go to school, but his father did not allow him to do so. “My father believes I am the bread earner for my family and I should work to keep the kitchen running,” he said.
Naubat Khan, Kajeer’s father, said that although he wanted to see his children go to school, he could not afford to do so.
“They are the bread earners of the family. They support us in running the kitchen. If the government takes the responsibility of bearing our expenses, we will definitely send our children to school,” said Naubat.
According to a local social activist Dildar Abbasi, forcing children to work is a crime under international and domestic laws. However, the circumstances under which they are made to work should be examined properly.
He suggested the government to take steps for the welfare and education of these flower sellers.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2011.
The picturesque Galyat Valley, known for its serene and pleasant atmosphere, attracts hundreds of picnickers from different parts of the country. However, the exquisitely designed head-sized rings made from wildflowers are also a major source of attraction for those visiting the valley.
These rings are mostly sold by children, who can be seen running after customers along the roads to the valley.
“Sir please buy these flowers from me. They are fresh and beautiful. Please buy them as a gift of this valley. They are not so expensive,” is how these children convince their customers, running after vehicles without realising the hazards they face.
One can see dozens of such children on the way to the chairlift in Ayubia, carrying bundles of flower rings woven with the branches of fresh wildflowers of different eye-catching colours. The scene reminds one of June 14, the Iranian National Flowers Day, when hundreds of children can be seen selling flowers on roads.
Although these flowers do not have much fragrance, they fascinate most of the visitors, who buy different sized rings and enjoy taking snapshots with them.
These wildflowers grow in the forests of Nathiagali, Ayubia and their surrounding areas during summer season, which serve as a boon for poor flower vendors till the arrival of winters.
The vendors, who hail from underdeveloped districts of Kohistan, migrate to Nathiagali during summer season to sell these flowers.
Most of the rings are bought by women and children, who are easily convinced by these enterprising youngsters trying their best to sell their product.
“I don’t know what to do with this ring. But I bought it to support the poor young boy who prefers to earn a respectable living rather than begging on streets and because it has been beautifully designed,” said Anila Bibi, a visitor from Islamabad.
It has also been observed that these children are assisted by their family members, who help them arrange the flowers into rings. Their skill in changing the branches of wildflowers into rings without damaging the flowers is so complicated that one is forced to believe that these people are trained in ikebana (a Japanese art of flower arrangement).
Their craftsmanship, coupled with the marketing techniques of youngsters, forces the picnickers to purchase the rings.
Kajeer Khan, 11, who sells these rings said he is able to earn Rs250 to Rs300 daily, adding that his elder brother Ajeer Khan makes around Rs400 everyday.
About the difference in their income, he said his brother could run faster than him, due to which he made more money.
“Running fast and covering maximum cars means earning better,” he claimed, adding that during winter season, his family moves to Abbottabad or Mansehra, where he sells shopping bags or scavenges streets.
Responding to a question, he said he wanted to go to school, but his father did not allow him to do so. “My father believes I am the bread earner for my family and I should work to keep the kitchen running,” he said.
Naubat Khan, Kajeer’s father, said that although he wanted to see his children go to school, he could not afford to do so.
“They are the bread earners of the family. They support us in running the kitchen. If the government takes the responsibility of bearing our expenses, we will definitely send our children to school,” said Naubat.
According to a local social activist Dildar Abbasi, forcing children to work is a crime under international and domestic laws. However, the circumstances under which they are made to work should be examined properly.
He suggested the government to take steps for the welfare and education of these flower sellers.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2011.