As part of the Growing Up season on BBC World, this week's episode of Being Indian examines Isha Dua's privileged life in comparison with the millions of less fortunate children in Delhi. As the daughter of wealthy, middle-class parents she enjoys a private education and does not yet have to marry or work unlike many Indian children.
In this programme Isha, and her 16-year-old friend Ankita, attend a conference about the abolition of child marriage. Isha and her fellow students try to make a difference by going out into the slums to gather information for UNICEF to find out whether money being spent on development is really helping the poor. For Isha it's a real eye opener: "I learnt how difficult it is to survive. What upset me the most was that children have to work for their living at such a tender age when they should be playing or studying. I used to spend a lot of money on chocolate. Now I don't because I feel guilty about it. If they can't eat it, how can I?"
Further information:
Deeptie Sethi/ Neha Sharma
BBC World
Tel: 91 11 2341 2672/73 Extn. 102, Fax: 91 11 2341 1109
Email: deeptie.sethi@bbc.co.uk
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