AVANTIKA | Photozine

Aava\taka

Aava\taka A lost Childhood

20220301750 Tanvi Kalase Bachelors of Design, Visual Communication 2nd Semester Batch (2022-2026) Photoshoot at Uvarsad Brick Factory

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Avantika’s story is just one example of the thousands of children who have no option but work in brick factories around the world.Though she may not have access to good lifestyle and education,she was a smart confident girl, many children in similar situations are not as fortunate.

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As I walked through the gates of the brick factory, I was immediately struck by the harshness of the environment.

The sun beat down relentlessly, casting a shimmering heat haze over everything. The air was thick with dust and the acrid smell of smoke, and the sound of heavy machinery echoed all around.

As I tried to take it all in, a small hand reached out and grabbed mine. Looking down, I saw Avantika, the sevenyear-old girl I had come to meet. Her sharp, beautiful eyes sparkled with intelligence and determination, and she spoke confidently as she led me through the maze of bricks and machinery.

Despite her small size, Avantika moved with a purpose, her small feet deftly navigating the rough terrain as she showed me around the factory. She pointed out the different types of bricks and explained how they were made, her voice clear and concise.

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As I walked through the brick factory, Avantika eagerly came up to me, asking if I wanted to learn how the bricks were made. I accepted her offer, intrigued by her enthusiasm and intelligence.

With a smile on her face, Avantika led me over to a section of the factory where several workers were shaping the wet clay into rectangular blocks. She explained that the clay was mixed with water to create a malleable substance that could be molded into shape.

She then showed me the next step in the process, where the workers carefully stacked the molded clay blocks on top of each other to create structures. These structures were left to dry in the sun for several days until they were hard and durable.

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As we walked, I noticed that Avantika seemed particularly enthusiastic today. When I asked her what was new, she told me that she and her friends had been talking about drawing and painting and how much they wished they had some poster colours to work with. It was a small dream, but it seemed so far out of reach in the harsh reality of the brick factory.

When I gave her the poster colors, her eyes lit up with excitement, and she couldn’t stop thanking me. She immediately ran off to gather her friends and show them the new paints.

Soon, a group of children had gathered around, all eager to try out their new supplies. They huddled together, talking and laughing as they experimented with the colors and brushes.

For a moment, the harsh reality of the brick factory seemed to fade away, replaced by the joy and wonder of childhood. The children were lost in their creativity, painting everything from animals to landscapes to their own portraits.

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In the brick factory, where the air is thick, And the machinery roars with a deafening tick, The children toil with a heavy load, Their small frames bending beneath the weight of the load.

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Their hands are calloused, their feet sore, As they work from dawn until the day is no more, Carrying bricks to and fro, In a never-ending cycle, with nowhere to go.

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Their young faces are etched with lines, Beyond their years, with no joy that shines, Their childhood stolen, their dreams shattered, Their future uncertain, their hopes battered.

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For these children, The struggle is real, their turmoil plain to see, But hope still lingers, a glimmer in their eyes, As they reach for the sky, and aim for the skies.

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Children like Avantika often work at brick factories to help support their families financially. These children understand the importance of contributing to their family’s income and are willing to work hard to help make ends meet.

By working at the brick factory, Avantika and other children like her are able to help their parents by earning wages that can be used to pay for basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter.

Moreover, by working at a young age, children like Avantika learn valuable skills that can help them later in life. They develop a strong work ethic, learn about responsibility and teamwork, and gain experience at ground level. However during this process their childhood is lost.

Can Avantika ever get better lifestyle and education?

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As I reflect on my recent photo shoot at the brick factory, I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for the workers who allowed me to enter their space and capture their world through my camera lens.

I would like to take a moment to thank each and every worker at the brick factory for their cooperation and kindness. Without their support, the photo shoot would not have been possible, and I would not have been able to shed light on their important work.

Photos captured by: Tanvi Kalase Prateek Singh

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