Dhaka, March 6 -- Their existence is nowhere - neither in the government registry nor in family - but they brutally exist in open areas like road islands, under flyovers, railway stations, and bus and launch terminals in Dhaka city.

They are the street children often seen roaming in the city, having small polythene bags in their hands that are filled with glue called dandy (gums commonly used in repairing shoes and electronic products) and carrying large sacks to collect recyclable waste. Their sorrows prevail amid poor attention from the state machinery, including inaction to register their birth.

According to the law, the legal guardian is responsible for birth registration, while many of the children are unaware of their parents and ...