India, Nov. 14 -- LUCKNOW Many children who have escaped the hardships of child labour are now embracing a brighter future filled with dreams. They look forward to the joys of books, classrooms, laughter, and the simple right to be children again. This Friday, they will celebrate their first official Children's Day. Among these hopeful children is Krishna Soni, a 10-year-old who was involved in rag-picking for as long as he remembers.

His days began at the crack of dawn, and often didn't end until sunset. While watching others his age head to school, his eyes sparkled with the dream of learning.

But everything changed for Krishna when he was rescued last year by the Diya Bati Foundation, a local NGO dedicated to helping children transit...