Synopsis Behind the urchins who beg at crossroads in the cities of India and behind the pre-teen children who serve at wayside restaraunts lies a story of callous neglect, extreme poverty, broken families and social indifference. Dr Sharda’s investigation of the legal, economic and social status of the Indian child reveals the wide gap between the Constitutional provisions and safeguards laid down for the protection, welfare and education of children and the frightening neglect that characterizes the attitude of Indian adults towards the majority of Indian children. Juvenile justice and the areas of destitution and delinquenc are specially well dealt with by the author. Dr Sharda’s analysis of the situation of India children is demonstrated to be true to life in his examination of a Boys’ Observation Home in Delhi. Dr. Sharda concludes with a passionate plea for a radical change today in the way in which we treat our citizens of tomorrow.