Persistence paid off

On January 20 this year, TSI carried a cover story India’s other Shame: Missing Children in which our correspondent tracked down victims and highlighted how more than 60,000 children disappear every year in the country, most never to be recovered. Dishing out several heart wrenching and specific stories of lost children, the story slammed the police and media apathy. While kidnapped children belonging to upper class families drew their attention, the economically poor children continued to be sold as labourers or made to beg or sell drugs. TSI had done a story in 2008 on the issue which received appreciation but was also sniggered at the editorial decision to put it on the cover. The story did however give due credit to activists who have persisted with their demand for justice. TSI’s persistence bore fruit and some mainstream news organisations recently started to give the required coverage to the problem. The Supreme Court took cognizance of the issue and lambasted the government for not submitting a status report on the issue.