Penury - the rise of its fall`

October 17th of each year is observed as the International Day for eradication of poverty. As of today, our population world over is expected to be 6.791 billion; of which the world bank estimates that 1.4 billion people across the world & 42% of the Indian population lives under the global poverty line i.e. living less than 1.2$ per day. Man! That’s huge isn’t it?! Seems such a mammoth task to undo the gap; makes one feel that we can never even go close to removing it from the society.

Drifting a little from the topic here, despite slumdog millionaire winning global acclaim n Oscar I hadn’t watched the movie for different reasons. Few months back, I happened to watch this movie twice but at both times I watched only till this boy Jamal gets beaten up in Agra when they find that he is a cheat… bla bla… (say the 1st 30 minutes) Missed it for different reasons again, but when I knew they were showcasing it yet another time; I wasn’t even nearly ready to see the movie. It sure is not a movie to watch more than once (whether half-way or full length) Honestly, such is the plight of the poor today.

As a lay man, as a girl in her early 20s I guess its alright to think of myself as a rational human being – worthy enough to gauge things, to give a hand to my fellow man or to the leader who leads the society on socio-economic lines. Am I being pre-judistic when I think “perhaps, I need a better leader?” I would completely nod when they say it’s not a leader’s job alone, everyone has to co-operate. I second that too but am I expecting too much or are the rational minds so in the oblivion that none of this seems to even sprout they way it ought too…

I have been to a village camp recently to celebrate Dussera festival with the locals there. Recalling that surely is not a matter of cheer for their living conditions aren’t anywhere near good. They basically belong to a tribe called “Irula” and were lacking most of the basic amenities. My Institute alumni n few others have adopted the village for about 6 months now; they are better or let me keep it as ‘good’ for now - Long way to go... but to see them live where they live was shell-shocking. They basically live on daily wages; mostly cutting woods – sometimes they aren’t even called for those few hours n they starve for days. It’s little good to see them smile when we arrive; kina like how a child runs to hug her mommy who had gone out on a business tour.

I have lived n gone around several places in the Chennai city n in almost all places I have seen families dwelling in the side-path given for pedestrians. They sleep in the road, have a bath there, eat there, run their families there… awww! Horrible plight! N as a lay man I look upto my state n national heads to do something with all their pitiable fates. But nothing changes - am sure there will be many NGO groups, NPOs, Alumnis, et cetera who might be working on BPL people but don’t the leaders hold a greater responsibility? Wouldn’t the stats of BPL better over the years when you execute self-employment schemes while reigning over the state? I wonder?! Factually speaking, it’s impossible in a short tenure, but an increasing trend over the years might give us contentment. A trend that seems evident of the leader’s care; of their love.. with all due respects, I don’t say that they do nothing up in the throne – perhaps they do – but that isn’t even reasonably enough if millions are not only born there but die there as well..

The inflation is rising by the day, cost of living has gone way too much that even middle class families suffer the crunch like never before; what to say of the road-side dwellers?! Perhaps, it would be a better sign if we start with popularizing days like these; am sure everyone knows when is valentine’s day or friendship day or whatever - but world literacy day or poverty eradication day never catches enough light. Cos if it did, am sure many of the youth or elderly set might try to chip in n deliver something on days like these.. Somewhere, somehow, someone gets touched in the process n being with them on a bday or diwali or christmas or ramzan, etc becomes a habit... n the cycle goes on… We call our families, inspire our frens n introduce them to these other souls who teach us to be grateful for the fortunate life that has befallen us…

Life is after all a journey to complete ourselves, to find our selves – to understand love is everything – love is god – love is life – love is me – love is you – love is what the world is all about. N when we do understand the all encompassing nature of love – let us allow it to travel far beyond religion n region – beyond mommy n daddy – beyond wife, husband n kids - to the have nots – to the slum dwellers - to the orphan across the street n then we will know how it truly feels to be at home.

See you all there - at home :) god bless!