Author(s): Riamei Chun Joyce, Dr. Shraddha Kapoor and Dr. Dolly Florence Murmu

Abstract:
The Lives of Children in Rural Manipur aims to explore the experiences, challenges, and opportunities faced by children living in this region. Located in the northeastern part of India, rural Manipur is known for its rich cultural diversity and natural beauty, but also for its socio-economic disparities and limited access to essential services. Furthermore, cultural beliefs, practices, and norms have significant impacts on children's lives, shaping their identities, opportunities, and aspirations. This study draws on research methods to investigate the complex factors that shape the lives of children. In this context, including cultural norms and expectations, and limped access to education, health care, and other resources. This study is based on a qualitative approach and includes data gathered from interviews, observations, and case study with a total of 8 families, which includes 13 children, 15 parents/adults and 3 teachers. Thus a total of 31 participants were part of the study, out of which all the families depends on agriculture as their source of income. The broad objective of the study was to understand the lives of rural children in Manipur, in which the specific objectives were to understand children’s education children in rural Manipur, to acquire knowledge on the involvement of children in agricultural work and to gain understanding on recreational activities in the lives of children in rural Manipur. The responses are subjected to thematic analysis. The key findings of the study was that children as young as 6 years have to move out from the village and go to boarding schools in another village or town to acquire education as the school in the village does not have proper facilities and adequate teachers. Another finding was the participation of children in agriculture. While some children enjoy accompanying their parents to the fields, most children seen it as an obligation which deprive them of other activities like playing or socialising with their friends. The fields are nearly a kilometre or more from the village and the only means of transport was by foot. The village also lacks basic healthcare facilities. The health care centre was understaffed and lack necessary equipment and medicines which can result in preventable illnesses and deaths among children. The health care provider does not frequently visit the village, and when they do, there is frequently a lengthy queue and insufficient time, so not everyone usually were able to receive the necessary medical care.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/23957476.2024.v10.i2e.1639