What set me off on this line of thought was a poignant sight at a traffic signal on my way to office a couple of days ago. Despite the in-my-face pathos, I couldn't deny the fact that it was a pretty sight. I cross it everyday but it never really registered earlier. There is a settlement of mela toy makers at that signal and their toys are beautifully crafted bows, arrows, gadas and swords, all shimmering gold and adorned with jewels. You can't ignore them- they're dressed in bright colours, visibly happy, joking with each other while their hands skillfully put together those golden toys and at the same time keeping an eye on the Oh! so many babies and children frolicking on the triangulate signal.
Coming back to the toys- I would not like something so ostentatious and ornamental; what makes them like it? What makes them think others will like it or that it will sell? It does sell, but who buys it? Ofcourse it is a form of wish fulfilment apart from the fact that it earns them their daily bread. It is only natural for have-nots to aspire to have and therefore they create images of what they want to have- the golden, bejewelled stuff.
C.K.Prahlad tells the rich how to get richer, but does anyone think how the guys at the bottom could have access to a fortune of their own? Thats why I am forced to respect Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank. Former World Bank President, James Wolfensohn summed it up by saying, "What it has to do with peace is that it gives dignity and hope to families and it is the lack of hope that is the greatest cause of bloodshed and intolerance".
As their laughter reached my ears in the cab a few feet away, the reverie was broken but they continued to smile as they crafted their treasures and the children chased an errant piece of shiny red paper. Hope springs eternal in the human breast.
Coming back to the toys- I would not like something so ostentatious and ornamental; what makes them like it? What makes them think others will like it or that it will sell? It does sell, but who buys it? Ofcourse it is a form of wish fulfilment apart from the fact that it earns them their daily bread. It is only natural for have-nots to aspire to have and therefore they create images of what they want to have- the golden, bejewelled stuff.
C.K.Prahlad tells the rich how to get richer, but does anyone think how the guys at the bottom could have access to a fortune of their own? Thats why I am forced to respect Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank. Former World Bank President, James Wolfensohn summed it up by saying, "What it has to do with peace is that it gives dignity and hope to families and it is the lack of hope that is the greatest cause of bloodshed and intolerance".
As their laughter reached my ears in the cab a few feet away, the reverie was broken but they continued to smile as they crafted their treasures and the children chased an errant piece of shiny red paper. Hope springs eternal in the human breast.
5 comments:
speechless...
will come back to this one again
I look at this kid who lives on the street under the flyover close to my house. Everyday I pass by this kid who turns around and smiles at me, even though I don't give him money... but just once gave him leftover lunch! It breaks my heart...
when i was a kid, my parents told me to help the needy and poor everytime i get a chance. then as i grew up, i realised these so called needy people are not so needy after all. when i watched traffic signal, i felt it might be true and actually our donation money might be going into some BHAI's pocket. the sudden increase in the number of such beggars on the street also explains this. so i never help them anymore.
am i doing anything wrong??
@Bivas- a penny for ur thoughts- been in gestation long enough ;)
@Uptown Girl- it leaves an impression on most minds I'd say. Just that some take up the "cause", others do their bit if and when the chance comes, some who prescribe to John Galt's philosophy scoff at charity while still others are torn between wanting to believe the need they see and the cynical denial thereof.
@Debi- ofcourse not; to each his own! Read up on cognitive dissonance :P
Plz...Rupees appreciating...forget pennies ;-)
Coming back to the topic...yes I agree...it's the lack of hope that is the root cause of all misery but we also need to think abt the ways one can reach out to them...the hopes n aspirations that the so called have-nots cherish might actually be something of the kind that Debi above mentioned...the route in such cases might just be CRY or other such organizations...
there is, no doubt, too much misery around us...each of us can do our bit in our own special way...whatever we do, n however we do it, the important thing is to ensure that neither motives are questionable.
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