Patna, Nov. 14: Aarti Kumari is not interested to know who Jawaharlal Nehru is. Instead, the 13-year-old wants to reach her work place on time. Like any other day, the domestic help woke up early this morning and rushed out of her home at 6am.

“I have to reach the first place of work on time so that I can finish it fast before rushing off to the second house. Else, I run the risk of getting beaten up by my employer,” said Aarti.

“I don’t know what is Children’s Day. Please let me go. I will be late for my job,” an irritated Aarti said. Asked about Jawaharlal Nehru, the little girl replied: “I don’t know.”

Aarti was pushed to work because of his father’s drinking habits. However, the irony is that his father earns well as a garage mechanic, but spends most of his money on liquor. This led Aarti and her mother to look for jobs. Aarti is not a one-off case.

Unattached from the celebrations, Children’s Day for child labourers like Aarti holds no meaning.

The Telegraph spotted Aarzoo Kumar, a 10-year-old, near Polytechnic More. He, too, was ignorant about Children’s Day. “I started working two years ago, but it was my own decision. No one forced me into it. I thought if I earn, it would help me get basic amenities, a luxury to my family,” said Aarzoo.