The period 1998 to 2002 was particularly momentous for Mobile Creches (MC). From the first simple crèche, at the Gandhi Centenary Memorial construction site, at Rajghat in 1969 – where the major preoccupation was to ensure that toddlers did not stray onto the rough worksite in search of their mothers, where replenishing buckets of water from the tap 50 yards away to prepare the khichri was urgent, and where helping didis to deal with soiled nappies was critical – to the bustle of the Ramlila grounds, where 50,000 people had gathered on 21 November 2001, to try and halt their Parliamentarians, who were debating the 86th Amendment Bill, from snatching the Fundamental Right to Education for the under sixes – the promise made by our wise Founding Fathers and confirmed by Justice Unnikrishan.
Over two years, MC and the Forum for Crèche and Childcare Services (FORCES), and the National Campaign for the Fundamental Right to Education had built a common understanding, knocked on the doors of MPs and gathered evidence on the vital importance of Education and the foundational years. They had come together, now, to protect the Right to Education for all children, the under sixes included.Amongst the placards that dotted the Ramila Grounds that day, there was an unusual sight: a contingent of men, women and young girls, carrying large puppets and holding aloft reed baskets bearing dolls, babies and toddlers. They mingled with the crowd – journalists, press cameras, curious onlookers – raising questions about the importance of the age group, plight of working women, the burden of childcare on sibling carers, and the impact on education and health. An academic issue, a legal and constitutional issue, was being articulated from the perspective of the lived reality of women, girls and children in poverty. That was a first, for India.
Loudspeakers informed the gathered crowds of the discussions going on in Parliament. The House had agreed to exclude the under-sixes, and allowed the State to deliver the Right to Education to only the 6-14 year-olds, “in such a manner as the state may determine”. No political force was willing to stem the tide of a globalizing State.
The decision would impact 3.75 crore young children, at the most critical stage of their development; their Right to Education would be compromised for decades to come. But there was no smell of defeat on the battle ground; a toe hold had been gained. The words and concept of ECCE had entered the Constitution of India, thanks to this struggle. MC, housing the Secretariat of FORCES at the time, was in the thick of planning and organizing the events around the 86th Amendment. The issue of the Rights of women and young children who live on the margins, were brought centrestage, at a time when few understood the importance of early years.​Much water has flowed under the bridge from the first crèche in 1969, and the rally in 2001, the growth of the Early Childhood issues and the international agreement on the SDGs of 2017. As the struggle continues, in MC’ 50th Year, I can say with confidence, that the army of allies is stronger, and the striving for the Fundamental Right to Early Childhood Care and Development, as strong as ever.
Note by Devika Singh, co-founder of
Mobile Creches on the 50th anniversary of the organization in 2019