On Wednesday, an Indian schoolgirl named Carolyn Malsawmtluangi won a bravery award for rescuing a seven year old girl from a trafficker. In the northeastern state of Mizoram, she had spotted the trafficker last year while playing with her, but did not think there was anything amiss. She thought it was a mother and daughter and even invited the girl to join in. However, when authorities raised the alarm on the trafficker, she became suspicious. The next time she spotted the trafficker with the child, she convinced the trafficker that she would watch the young girl while the woman went to run an errand, then escaped while carrying the girl on her shoulders and avoiding stones being hurled at her by the trafficker.
Of India's 600,000 victims of human trafficking, about half of them are children. They often come from rural areas to escape poverty and lured to cities by traffickers promising them jobs. Instead, they are sold into modern day slavery. The president of the Central Mizo Association, a charity that works on anti-trafficking programs, says Carolyn will act as an inspiration and bring attention to the issue.
The award she one, the National Bravery Award, is given to about 25 children every year between the ages of six and 18. Often, children have won awards for foiling robberies, fighting off armed intruders, rescuing people from drowning, saving lives during stampedes, and putting out fires.
Indian School Girl Wins Bravery Award for Thwarting Trafficker
No comments:
Post a Comment