Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Traffic signal

What could you be thinking while waiting in a traffic signal? Wouldn't you be thinking at least something to avoid the unpleasant cacophony of the horns? Well anyway, I do. Thus happened something that materialized into this blog post.

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It was my trip to Bombay to my cousin's marriage. My grandparents had a lot of siblings and all of them were so close that I ended with more than half a dozen each of chitthis, chitthappas, periammas, mamas and athais and not to forget about the three-score cousins.. Cousins off all sorts, younger, elder, infants, grown-ups, schoolers, collegers, office-goers etc. The function went well and the joy of meeting relatives was, as usual, awesome. But there was something else that was on my mind, something that I saw on my way back.
 

Poverty.

Different types of poverty. And so I thought,

Is it poverty of education? Those kids could very well be sitting in a classroom happily reciting poems.

Is it poverty of awareness? Orphanages and Adoption centres are as common as an exposed scam on a news channel(Incredible India!).

Is it poverty of hygiene? So much for the infinitely many handwash, health supplement ads..

Is it poverty of a helping-tendency? Not just there. They were at every single traffic signal. Doesn't the government bother?

Is it poverty of basic necessities? Ragged clothes are only the tip of the iceberg.

Is it poverty of safety? Worry about pedestrian crossing when you don't bother about three kids sitting, literally, in the middle of the road.

Poverty is not only about money. I only hope that the kids I saw don't have poverty in ambition and hard-work although the string of hope is as thin as a strand of silk.

India has a long way to go before becoming a super-power.

P.S.: This is not a post to show sarcasm or be cynical, its a mere thought-train on a momentary visual.

6 comments:

  1. Certainly a thing to be thought ... By the Govt too !!!

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  2. well said bro :) as said india needs to go thru dearth of resources and sate it's people's needs b4 of evn thinking of becoming a super power :)

    nice blog :) expcting mre frm yu :) way to go bro :)

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  3. Great Post :-) All your points are certainly valid. Although uniquely expressed and well thought out, your statements address the problem but not a solution, which it may seem that even if you suggest one, it might not make such a difference, but ders always the chance... Besides, i'd love to just hear ur ideas on that...
    P.S. you don't have to live upto anyone's expectations but ur own! :-)

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Say what you feel ! Just like I have :)