Children in Indian slums are happier than Britainâs iPad generation, according to a Unicef report.

Not glum in the slums: Poornima Khatun wades through Delhi wasteland to provide for her family (Picture: Barcroft)

Despite the poverty, child labourers in Delhi say they have a good life with quality family time â but British children have all the gadgets and,Â apparently, none of the fun.

They came last in a recent survey into child wellbeing across 21 nations. The Unicef report reveals families struggle to spend time together and parents make up for it with expensive gifts.

Poornima Khatun told how she works almost ten hours a day to boost her familyâs Â£6 per week income.


But she couldnât understand how rich children could be sad. The ten-year-old, who works on a landfill in the Indian capital, hates missing a day as it might mean her family going hungry. âIf I spend my time playing games, it would mean my parents, brothers and sisters have to work harder.â



Children in Britain said their happiness depended on family time and outdoor hobbies â both âluxuriesâ many parents struggle to provide.

India was not included in the survey but Poornima said she is content even though she spends most of her time as one of 50,000 children who work as trashpickers in Delhi. âMetal sells for a higher price and can fetch up to Â£2 in a day. Father gets really happy,â she said. Her family cannot afford newspapers or TV, and iPad is an unknown word.

âWhatâs that?â Poornima asked. âI can teach you how to play hide and seek if you tell me what an iPad is.â