Reason is a state of mind or is it really? Sense is when we do things right..isnt it? Sensitivity comes from within..doesnt it? Too many questions I believe. Are there answers?
I was travelling in an auto-rickshaw one day, a day no different from any other. I was as usual, pre-occupied with my own thoughts. Suddenly, in a traffic signal, a small child thrust a packet of ear-buds on my face. I waved off the child, only half-comprehending what was happening. Suddenly the child started crying mildly and pulling my dupatta. I looked at him and my heart stopped for a moment. Somewhere in the distance I heard the auto-driver say, "go away boy..its their usual tactic madam, they do this with all the people". The dilemma was all mine, My heart said ,I had to buy those ear-buds. But would it be the right thing to do, my mind asked? Am I encouraging begging, no!! my heart reasoned, this is not begging, he was just trying to sell. I took a 10 rupee note and gave him, he happily gave me the ear-buds and rushed to the next auto before the signal turned green. I felt my insides churning. What was it that I was feeling so guilty about? Was it the fact that though I been through this situation a million times before (felt terrible too) had never bothered to do something about it?
It does make sense for me to think, begging should never be encouraged. The child was technically begging here, in the guise of selling something. It can in no terms be described as selling, as the emotion on his face was one that would evict pity. Pitiable. If I buy something from him, immediately I'll be swarmed by many others who would also incidently offer me more ear-buds (which happened too). So here I am encouraging begging, even though the whole idea of distributing those ear-buds to be sold were to eradicate just that.
Its a disturbing thought.
I wonder about the small boy who came and caught my dupatta. What could've happened in his 5 years of existence that lead him to get so desperate. The answer is obvious, he is no beggar, he is no thief. He doesnt want to sell those ear-buds too. Would he even know what they are used for? Had he been born into my family, he would be probably sitting on my lap or pulling my dupatta to buy him an ice-cream. He was plain un-lucky to have either been born poor or for being forced to do begging by the grown-ups around him. What if he were also set targets on a daily basis (like they have in the big companies- sales targets). What if the reason he cried was because he would get beaten up if he doesnt achieve his targets ?( thats the bonus cut) Or he had to go hungry for the day because of that?
I'd rather break the rule and encourage the young boy rather than live with the thought of how un-happy he would be otherwise. Maybe the 10 rupee wouldnt make much difference to him (the managers make all the money even if you acheive targets), but then again..Maybe it does??(a promotion on cards?) .
But there is one thing I promise, as long as there are little children on the road, I'll need to clean my ears.......
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3 comments:
Divya, u cudnt have said it better, yes, i think sometimes, we need to let our hearts rule our minds and break the rules.......
Proud of u....... :)
ah dilemma! you've brilliantly described it whenever I see those children selling something,I feel like buying the product from them but refrain myself as I can't assist them in misdeed as I know it is but whenever I look at their eyes I can see the pain that depresses me most of the times.I forget whatever I can't get,only consider myself fortunate to have what they are not having and Thank God that time the most.Don't they have the right to to eat good,to wear good,to get education what's the difference? the only difference is they aren't born with a golden spoon to feed them from time they are just born sometimes think why can't I help them in achieving those targets as their boss won't be giving them even that meager amount of a day!! how they must be living without having food that day they yet they don't starve do they? but life is waaay more complicated for them but than my mind shudders u won't be helping them even u are encouraging those brutals to exploit them and take advantage of their plight that way u also take part in misdeed.Nowadays I've seen only a few of those innocent labourers better called as,on streets and saw most of them working in factories,stores and in the houses of the educated people like us.I really wish to do something for them but what can I do? We give them zakat/charity but do they get it? Will they accept it? oh there are many questions still I want to do something for them when I'll be something.... many wishes the same but than when we reach our destination or when we can afford to do something bigger and better for them we lose our spirit and I may also... but I will make sure to bear the expenses of a single child....They should get free education Post- Graduation, Govt. should do something for it...
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