Success Story of Sunil-child line

Sunil (name changed?) is just four years old. His father is Chikkanna (names are changed). On 19th March 2019, he was found begging in Humnabad bus stand. He was noticed by a traveler and was reported to the Childline Help line.

Sunil belonged to a poor SC family in a village in Humnabad Taluk. He lost his mother a year ago. She was sick for a month and was admitted in the hospital and later succumbed her illness. Since Chikkanna, a plumber in Pune, was unable to take the child along with him, he entrusted Sunil to his paternal aunt’s care.

His aunt has two children. Being poor she had to go for coolie work to sustain her family. She couldn’t care much about the child.

Little Sunil missed his parents, their love and care. On that fateful day, aunt had gone for work and Sunil was playing in the neighbourhood. He had not eaten anything. He could no longer bear the pangs of hunger that he walked away. He reached a kilo metre distant Humnabad bus stand – and began begging for food.

Child line team responded quickly to the helpline call and reached Humnabad bus stand and rescued the child. He was counseled; “I felt hungry so came away”, he said innocently. He was handed over to the police for further procedure.

Sunil was further counseled at police station. Though he is so small in age, he could give the details such as parents’ name and village name. Child line team along with police took the child to the village and found the family. They were unaware of the missing of the child assuming that he might be playing somewhere. They too were counseled. They gave a written statement that they would care for the child well and Sunil was entrusted back to his aunt.

Regular follow up is being carried out. Little Sunil is found happy.