Hunger Drives Guwahati’s Street Children into Cycle of Addiction and Despair
"My hands used to shake when I first tried to eat real food," says 14-year-old Raju, his voice barely above a whisper. "I still cannot believe I made it out alive", fourteen-year-old Raju (name changed) sits on the steps of Guwahati’s crowded railway station, his once-bright eyes dimmed by the hard realities he’s endured. He says quietly, referring to the glue he started sniffing just to make it through the days and nights. His story is one of unimaginable loss and a life overturned by events beyond his control.
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Raju once had a family—a mother who worked in a hotel, a father who proudly joined the annual Bol Bam procession, and a little brother who looked up to him. They had a simple life, renting a small room and scraping by on what little they earned. But everything changed when his father was killed during that same procession. “My mother tried to hold us together,” he recalls, his voice wavering, “but there was never enough to keep us fed, and we had to leave our home for the station.”
What came next was even worse. One day, Raju’s younger brother disappeared, likely taken by someone, as often happens to the most vulnerable here. Alone, heartbroken, and hungry, Raju met a group of boys who introduced him to the yellow tube of dendrite, an intoxicant that gave him the only relief he knew from the relentless ache in his stomach and the emptiness in his heart.
The rise in children turning to toxic substances like dendrite (an adhesive often abused for its intoxicating effects) has left social workers and city officials deeply concerned. For many of these young lives, the choice to use such substances stems from sheer desperation—a battle to dull hunger pangs they cannot afford to satisfy.
This case is not isolated. According to recent data from POSHAN Abhiyaan Assam, a government initiative targeting nutrition and health among marginalised communities, there has been a sharp increase in malnutrition cases among children in Guwahati. In September 2023, 161 cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) were recorded, climbing to 247 by December 2023, the highest count over the last four months. These numbers reveal a troubling rise in malnutrition, especially among Guwahati’s urban slum areas, where families often struggle to access adequate food.
Talking to GPlus, a member of Care U 365, a local NGO that delivers meals to impoverished communities in Guwahati, explained the link between hunger and addiction. “Many children turn to dendrite because they do not have enough food,” he says. The organisation’s efforts to provide meals in areas like Lakhtokia and Paltan Bazaar have highlighted the urgent need for regular, nutritious food in these communities. While the NGO makes a difference, the representative notes that resources are limited, and the problem of hunger remains vast.
A concept often discussed in hunger advocacy circles is that malnutrition isn't just about the absence of food, but about a diet lacking in essential nutrients. This lack of nourishment stunts children's growth, weakens their immune systems, and, in many cases, leads to mental and emotional challenges that make them more susceptible to the lure of substances. “They try toxic substances because they are battling hunger and the pain,” the Care U 365 volunteer explains.
Additionally, another trend is the rise of gambling among street children. Children who may initially turn to gambling for money or companionship often fall victim to it. But, as the Care U 365 volunteer explains, gambling is not the true issue but rather a symptom of a deeper problem. “Many children involved in gambling are there due to addiction, which begins when they have to battle hunger."
While Guwahati has child care centers and government schools aimed at providing support and education for at-risk youth, many children do not complete their schooling. A major reason is that these institutions often lack the infrastructure to address addiction. For these children, staying in school or a care center is challenging when they lack consistent emotional support and a sense of belonging.
The Care U 365 volunteer argues that schools and child care centers should offer counseling programmes and addiction intervention services to help children understand and address their cravings for toxic substances. But in reality, many government-run facilities do not employ full-time counselors or social workers who could play a pivotal role in these young lives. This lack of specialised support means that many children do not receive the help they need, leading to high dropout rates and an even higher risk of them succumbing to life on the streets.
For 14-year-old Raju, there was a turning point. After struggling with addiction and surviving the streets, he was eventually rescued and placed in a boys’ home. “They gave me proper care with food and shelter,” he says, though the journey was not without setbacks. “I escaped several times,” he admits, as he battled the urge to return to old habits. However, with support and determination, he finally decided to overcome his addiction. “It has been two years now,” he shares with pride. His story serves as a beacon of hope that recovery is possible with the right resources and support.
But for every child like him, there are many more who remain trapped in the cycle of hunger, addiction, and homelessness. Without adequate intervention and sustained support, they are left to navigate a harsh world where basic needs remain unmet and survival becomes the driving force.
"I still have friends there who are trapped in the circle but I had to leave them," he said.
The resources are limited, and these initiatives can only reach a fraction of those in need. Why are children still begging for food in the shadows of a bustling city? Why do they have to turn to harmful substances just to survive? What more can be done to break this heartbreaking cycle and give these children a chance at a better future?
These questions demand urgent answers from society, local authorities, and policymakers alike. What kind of future are we building if we can’t protect our children from hunger and addiction? Are there enough programmes to help these children heal and find safety? And as citizens, are we doing enough to help those who need it most? The answers to these questions may be the key to changing the fates of children like Raju and offering them a life that every child deserves.