Every year on June 12, the world observes the World Day Against Child Labour—a moment to reflect on the lives of millions of children denied their right to a safe, nurturing, and educated childhood. In 2025, as global organizations renew their call to end child exploitation, Veilpur, a small village in Telangana’s Nizamabad district, offers a shining example of what community-led action can achieve.
Why June 12 Matters
The day is a global call to action. Despite decades of effort, over 160 million children worldwide remain trapped in child labor. Of these, Africa holds the highest burden—72 million, or nearly 1 in 5 children. Asia and the Pacific follow, with 62 million, while millions more continue to work in the Americas, Europe, and the Arab States.
These children are denied education, subjected to hazardous work, and robbed of their potential. Child labor continues to thrive in households, farms, construction sites, factories, and even urban establishments—often hidden in plain sight. Addressing it requires more than legislation—it demands community transformation, just as demonstrated in Veilpur.
Veilpur: A Beacon of Hope in the Fight Against Child Labour
Back in 2001, Veilpur faced challenges like many rural Indian regions—child labor, school dropouts, and lack of awareness. That changed under the leadership of G. Asok Kumar, the then District Collector of Nizamabad. He spearheaded a 90-day intensive campaign to enroll every child aged 5–15 in school and eradicate child labor from the entire mandal.
Local families, community leaders, teachers, and volunteers united with one mission: no child should work; every child must learn. Their efforts culminated in a landmark moment on October 2, 2001, when Veilpur was officially declared child labor-free—the first mandal in the state to achieve this.
20 Years of Unbroken Commitment
Many campaigns lose momentum over time. Veilpur’s didn’t. Two decades later, its villages still proudly display signboards: “No Child Labor in Our Village.” The people didn’t wait for enforcement—they owned the mission. There are no out-of-school children, no relapse into labor, and consistent community monitoring continues to keep the village on track.
This isn’t a fleeting win; it’s a sustained success story of civic participation and vigilance.
National and Global Recognition
Veilpur’s achievement hasn’t gone unnoticed. The model has been widely studied and admired—by the International Labour Organization (ILO), national media, and institutions like the VV Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI). The initiative even earned praise from former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who recognized its potential to spark nationwide change.
To this day, VVGNLI includes the “Veilpur model” in training programs for policy-makers and labor reformers across India.
Celebrating a Milestone: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
In October 2021, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a special event was held in Nizamabad to commemorate 20 years of Veilpur’s child labor-free status. Attended by dignitaries such as Sri Srinivas Katikithala (IAS) and Dr. H. Srinivas, the event honored the original sarpanchs, caste elders, and community leaders who laid the foundation of this remarkable journey.
Their message was clear: social reform doesn’t need to wait for orders from above. Real change starts in the heart of a community.
A Global Lesson in Local Action
As we observe World Day Against Child Labour 2025, Veilpur reminds us that eliminating child labor is possible—not just in theory, but in practice. It proves that when visionary leadership meets community ownership, even the most deep-rooted social issues can be overcome.
Ending child labor requires more than laws—it requires a movement. Veilpur lit the spark; it’s time for the world to follow.
Key Takeaways:
- June 12 is a reminder of our responsibility to protect children from exploitation.
- Veilpur eliminated child labor through a community-led effort and sustained it for over 20 years.
- The model has received national and global acclaim, proving grassroots change is both possible and powerful.
