Poverty in India

Rich and Poor - That's a unique contrast we happen to see in the country. Whether out of legal means or not, we find so many rich men in the country, walking on the streets with dignified clothes, or better yet, sitting on the back seat of a mercedes. On the other hand, we have those poor people on almost every busy road, wearing worn out clothes and selling the national flag or wiping the cars that have stopped at the traffic signals, or selling petty things like ear buds and safety pins, striving hard to earn a living. On a worse state, are people who have lost hopes - the ultimate state of poverty is seen on the platforms. People with a piteous face and body, with unkempt hair - all knitted, wearing clothes that are all in rags. Mentally disturbed because of their state, and physically not cared - that is the pathetic state of a beggar in the streets. These are the people who are prey of homelessness, harsh climate, hunger, illiteracy, joblessness, and anything and everything that's evil. Who's fault? No one knows - Each one may have a different story. Some might have lost everything in a disaster, some due to being cheated, some due to cruel reasons we can't even dream of. You and I, sitting in front of a monitor spend hours, happily wiling away time. Computers, TV, books - these seem like inevitable parts of life. Let us, for just a moment, think of those beggars who don't know what these words mean. 'fan', 'bed', 'medicine', 'book' - aren't these alien terms to them? Additional luxuries like tv, air conditioners and the like are out of question. In fact, unfortunately, a 'house' is something alien to them. If all the rich men bother about these folks, each rich man can adopt one beggar - and the country could probably become free of beggars. But unfortunately, every rich man cannot or does not do this. Some have the money, but not the heart; some have the money, but not the time; some have the money, but not the intention; some have the money, but don't know that being a beggar is difficult ...we never know what the rich men lack. Fortunately, not all rich men are alike. There are noble people - rich and not so rich - who really work for the society and help the beggars. There are also charitable trusts like CRY, Udhavum Karangal, Banyan, Akshaya, etc., which (I know) are genuine. These trusts work for various causes including feeding the poor, working for the children deprived of their basic rights, working for orphans, etc. There are various other trusts that I have not mentioned (I have mentioned the ones I know are true).

Ultimately, we come to a point that no one is poor by choice. Every poor person (by wealth) has a compulsion to be so. It is upto the citizens to show the love and express brotherhood (It's not enough if we just say in the national pledge "All Indians are my brothers and sisters" - if we really take the pledge from the heart, let's rethink "Can we see our brother or sister sit on the streets, begging for their basic needs?"). We need to show compassion and help them - either through such trusts, or through simple means of charity. It is not the amount behind charity, but the thought behind charity that matters. I agree, there are limits for everyone. Not all of us can adopt a poor person. We can only donate as per our capacity - but let's do it. Let's start now. Not through alms in the hand and curse in the mind "Let me give this beggar this rupee, only then he'll go away from here" - even if you're giving a single coin, give it with the satisfaction - and trust me, they make out. I don't know how, but they do - and they really feel happy when we give from the heart. And that happiness gives us the satisfaction.

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."
-Mother Teresa

Jaihind