उमरें दराज़ हों येः दोवा दे गया कोई!
बुजती सी अतिशूँ को हवा दे गया कोई !!
इक मुधातूं से यार हम खाना बदूश हैं!
के मारी करीब वाली चेरह गह जला गया कोई !!
छु के जिसे मैं पा सकूं वोह ख्वाब तुम नहीं !
जब बी हुवे हो पास मारे के नन्द से जगा गया कोई !!
मारे वजू से उस का मक़ाम था बहुत बड़ा!
फिर बी मिला के हाथ इक रिश्ता बना गया!!
मुज को सलाम देने वह आया था दूर से !
आज फिर से मेरी रूह पे अहसान कर गया कोई !!
मिला नहीं कोई बी मुसफेर्रों की भीड़ मैं!
शायद मुजी को दाख के रस्ता बदल गया कोई !!
Mirza Galib a very famous Urdu Poet who lived in obscurity till his death is known for his great contribution to the Urdu Poetry and language. Now governments and non profit organizations have instituted awards and studies in his honor, but during his life time when his wife asked for what would do you have for me for my Birthday? He looked up in the sky and said I give you a dua for a long life... That was the last time she asked him for anything, Next time when Mirza Galab inquired how come you have not asked for any gift this time? She replied who wishes to live longer then you....
Friday, February 5, 2010
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Price one has to Pay
Few in India don’t like to be called a nation of poor, But isn’t that true when it comes to net comfort and earning of masses? It is true my friend and this is also true that India has few who spend $3000.00 a night to stay in Five star hotels that to for the period of three plus months, I am not talking of an Industrialist, a software CEO or someone with inheritance but the elected representatives of the poor nation who have been elected to lessen the burden of poverty and unemployment but instead of that they chose to occupy the presidential suit of Taj Mahal and Sheraton hotels at a whopping $3000 a night, hard to fathom and believe that this is how things will look after you are elected to office and would have no concern or room for Gandhisim. May be you forgot that you are elected representative of a country where average person makes less then $3000 a year, or a nation where compensation given to one who dies of an accident or government negligence is not more then $2000. What were you thinking and how would you justify your top of the line five star expenses while you can see out of your presidential suit windows a rickshaw pullers sweating for a dime, a child begging to survive another day, a women on roads just to feed her babies. How come you forgot that living in five star hotels and surroundings does not relive you of the responsibility you have undertaken while taking oath of the office.
I am sure you have a crafted answer to all my questions as any other Politician would have, Was that your own money? Perhaps it was, now since every one knows about it, so it was your own money, and you paid for your stay. Am I right? My dear Ministers, people expect more from you, they expect you to be a role model, and they expect you to feel their pain and hunger. The amount of money you have spent on luxury suits could have saved hundreds of farmers from committing suicide, hundreds of students from crime, thousands of children from hunger, (don’t you read newspapers). How can you swallow Kababs knowing that people who idealized you to be their messiah are out on street begging for left overs.
Oh I am sorry this was your own money? Why are you in politics? Why not become a philanthropist? Use your wealth for good cause, lift them from poverty, help them gather their lives together, Isn't why you wear Khadi? If that is not your cup of tea enjoy your life in five stars, if you inherited large sum from an unknown relative who can’t be found in records, or your poor supporters sent you small bills because they love you so much! So you can stay in presidential suits. spend every bit of it, But please don't be salt to the wounds of children who sweep trains just to find pennies or left over food to eat.
You have a role model in a Young man called Rahul Gandhi, he paid for his food from his own pocket when he had lunch at Andhra Bhawan, which is not a five star hotel but a state owned subsidized residential place for politicians like you, You could not stay in one of the state owned guest houses, they did not have Maui onions, gourmet salads, massages and spas, but this would have proved walk the talk slogan, Or that is beneath your standard? You have Prime Minister Singh, who is happy with Dal, Roti and Maruti 800 car. Ohhh he comes from a humble background of farmers, true…. poor him. I am not sure who else I can bring who can inspire you if half a billion naked and hungry souls could not inspire you.
In nutshell, I am disappointed not that you stayed in Presidential suits and spend your own money, but you paid too little thoughtfulness for less fortunate people.
If I was you my question to myself would be: Do I deserve to be in this elected position? Let me know if both of you have answer to this question.
I am sure you have a crafted answer to all my questions as any other Politician would have, Was that your own money? Perhaps it was, now since every one knows about it, so it was your own money, and you paid for your stay. Am I right? My dear Ministers, people expect more from you, they expect you to be a role model, and they expect you to feel their pain and hunger. The amount of money you have spent on luxury suits could have saved hundreds of farmers from committing suicide, hundreds of students from crime, thousands of children from hunger, (don’t you read newspapers). How can you swallow Kababs knowing that people who idealized you to be their messiah are out on street begging for left overs.
Oh I am sorry this was your own money? Why are you in politics? Why not become a philanthropist? Use your wealth for good cause, lift them from poverty, help them gather their lives together, Isn't why you wear Khadi? If that is not your cup of tea enjoy your life in five stars, if you inherited large sum from an unknown relative who can’t be found in records, or your poor supporters sent you small bills because they love you so much! So you can stay in presidential suits. spend every bit of it, But please don't be salt to the wounds of children who sweep trains just to find pennies or left over food to eat.
You have a role model in a Young man called Rahul Gandhi, he paid for his food from his own pocket when he had lunch at Andhra Bhawan, which is not a five star hotel but a state owned subsidized residential place for politicians like you, You could not stay in one of the state owned guest houses, they did not have Maui onions, gourmet salads, massages and spas, but this would have proved walk the talk slogan, Or that is beneath your standard? You have Prime Minister Singh, who is happy with Dal, Roti and Maruti 800 car. Ohhh he comes from a humble background of farmers, true…. poor him. I am not sure who else I can bring who can inspire you if half a billion naked and hungry souls could not inspire you.
In nutshell, I am disappointed not that you stayed in Presidential suits and spend your own money, but you paid too little thoughtfulness for less fortunate people.
If I was you my question to myself would be: Do I deserve to be in this elected position? Let me know if both of you have answer to this question.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Corruption bites Asia
I find it hard to comprehend the reasons behind rampant corruption in Asian countries, this despite the fact that many of them are forerunner of spreading spiritual values, modesty but when it comes to implementing them, they are the ones who are lacking behind, not only behind but are trailing miles and miles behind.
Growing up in an Asian nation, I have seen the extremes of poverty and riches, I have seen the marvelous examples of spiritual values and selflessness, I have also seen the demons of extreme greed and selfishness. Human rights do exist on books but they are far from realty, as majority of these nations either don’t have resources or will power to implement them , It is the will, I would say….
Though democracies but they are democracy for just those who are in power or who run the show rest are just happy to be alive, elected governments are toppled in a blink of eyes, honest and elected representative are behind bars for decades and some were hanged till dead while few were assassinated, list goes on and on…… but still there is a breed of politicians in India, who come from a very humble background, but as soon as they enter politics their wealth grows by million times and their source of Income is amazingly creative, some have amassed that much by milking a single buffalo, I wonder if a buffalo is on pump for 24/7 can’t produce volume of milk required to make that kind of money, while the others have a perfect excuse of saying supporters have been sending them all this money………supporters who barely can manage to put a loaf of bread on the table for their children. Hard to fathom, but it is a creative excuse, that is what they need to prove their source of income, no documentation required
Politicians have learned creative ways to make money, they wouldn’t hesitate to ask for the donations for the party if they are doing you a favor and favor is if they allow you to live a life of peace, to start an industry or they will allow you a mineral extraction plant or would allow you to produce electricity and distribute it to the consumers at rip off prices, Dabhol power project was one such example of greed and corruption set up by Enron which went belly up, Enron had to face lot of politics and paid a huge price for their shady deals. Politicians are not alone in this game, they are supported by the bureaucracy as none of the projects can be sanctioned or implemented without the approval of a bureaucrat, but they can be transferred or sent on administrative leave without their consent, so it is really democracy for the politicians or the dictators who rule the system and rest of the administration either has to follow them or find themselves on a path to nowhere.
Pakistan has seen multiple military coups and countless deaths, no one dared to challenge the Military rule of Gen. Zai-ul-Haq a military dictator who perished in a plane crash, was responsible for the death of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto father of slain Pakistani leader Bezezir Bhutto who was assassinated right before the general elections of Pakistan and finger of suspicion is towards and military dictator Gen. Pervez Musharaf, who is also a good singer besides being a dictator, democracy is finally back in Pakistan but the irony is that the highest elected head of Pakistan has multiple corruption cases against him, once known as 10% of Pakistan, (He will charge 10% of any project, contract awarded by the government of Pakistan to any individual or firm). Is this what people deserve or they are left with no option but to bear them?
India on the other had hasn’t had a coupe problems like Pakistan but it has a reputation of being bureaucratic nation which sits on piled up files of corruption. Governments change as per the democratic aspirations of a billion people but what does not change is the system and fate of poor people.
Both Nations desire to live in peace and harmony, at least this is what they say, and true to their political heritage and misunderstandings, none means what they say, otherwise Pakistan would not have diverted United States aid package to perfect or modernize their nuclear arsenal to combat growing Indian Military capability. Are we creating another form of Taliban? This time a Taliban with Nuclear capability to destabilize the whole Asian region. We have seen emergence of Taliban which was a creation to combat USSR in Afghanistan is now a headache for the whole world especially for the United States of America. State department has condemned the aggressive behavior of Pakistan towards India and the fact that humanitarian aid and arms provided by the United States are used fight India, is a major concern for Obama administration which foresees a future alliance with India to check the growing influence of China in the region. Despite Billions in Aids from the European nations poor Pakistanis are still waiting for their fair share of help, which will never reach them as it trickles down top to bottom and by the time it reaches to the masses it was meant for, there is nothing left to distribute.
People do wish and desire to live in peace and corruption free society in both nations but political roads lead to various directions. Would they choose path to peace or disaster no one knows.
Growing up in an Asian nation, I have seen the extremes of poverty and riches, I have seen the marvelous examples of spiritual values and selflessness, I have also seen the demons of extreme greed and selfishness. Human rights do exist on books but they are far from realty, as majority of these nations either don’t have resources or will power to implement them , It is the will, I would say….
Though democracies but they are democracy for just those who are in power or who run the show rest are just happy to be alive, elected governments are toppled in a blink of eyes, honest and elected representative are behind bars for decades and some were hanged till dead while few were assassinated, list goes on and on…… but still there is a breed of politicians in India, who come from a very humble background, but as soon as they enter politics their wealth grows by million times and their source of Income is amazingly creative, some have amassed that much by milking a single buffalo, I wonder if a buffalo is on pump for 24/7 can’t produce volume of milk required to make that kind of money, while the others have a perfect excuse of saying supporters have been sending them all this money………supporters who barely can manage to put a loaf of bread on the table for their children. Hard to fathom, but it is a creative excuse, that is what they need to prove their source of income, no documentation required
Politicians have learned creative ways to make money, they wouldn’t hesitate to ask for the donations for the party if they are doing you a favor and favor is if they allow you to live a life of peace, to start an industry or they will allow you a mineral extraction plant or would allow you to produce electricity and distribute it to the consumers at rip off prices, Dabhol power project was one such example of greed and corruption set up by Enron which went belly up, Enron had to face lot of politics and paid a huge price for their shady deals. Politicians are not alone in this game, they are supported by the bureaucracy as none of the projects can be sanctioned or implemented without the approval of a bureaucrat, but they can be transferred or sent on administrative leave without their consent, so it is really democracy for the politicians or the dictators who rule the system and rest of the administration either has to follow them or find themselves on a path to nowhere.
Pakistan has seen multiple military coups and countless deaths, no one dared to challenge the Military rule of Gen. Zai-ul-Haq a military dictator who perished in a plane crash, was responsible for the death of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto father of slain Pakistani leader Bezezir Bhutto who was assassinated right before the general elections of Pakistan and finger of suspicion is towards and military dictator Gen. Pervez Musharaf, who is also a good singer besides being a dictator, democracy is finally back in Pakistan but the irony is that the highest elected head of Pakistan has multiple corruption cases against him, once known as 10% of Pakistan, (He will charge 10% of any project, contract awarded by the government of Pakistan to any individual or firm). Is this what people deserve or they are left with no option but to bear them?
India on the other had hasn’t had a coupe problems like Pakistan but it has a reputation of being bureaucratic nation which sits on piled up files of corruption. Governments change as per the democratic aspirations of a billion people but what does not change is the system and fate of poor people.
Both Nations desire to live in peace and harmony, at least this is what they say, and true to their political heritage and misunderstandings, none means what they say, otherwise Pakistan would not have diverted United States aid package to perfect or modernize their nuclear arsenal to combat growing Indian Military capability. Are we creating another form of Taliban? This time a Taliban with Nuclear capability to destabilize the whole Asian region. We have seen emergence of Taliban which was a creation to combat USSR in Afghanistan is now a headache for the whole world especially for the United States of America. State department has condemned the aggressive behavior of Pakistan towards India and the fact that humanitarian aid and arms provided by the United States are used fight India, is a major concern for Obama administration which foresees a future alliance with India to check the growing influence of China in the region. Despite Billions in Aids from the European nations poor Pakistanis are still waiting for their fair share of help, which will never reach them as it trickles down top to bottom and by the time it reaches to the masses it was meant for, there is nothing left to distribute.
People do wish and desire to live in peace and corruption free society in both nations but political roads lead to various directions. Would they choose path to peace or disaster no one knows.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Wailing Roads...
ना इबादतें ना खुदा रहा !
मैं द्रेचय यार लाचार हूँ!!
It was my Child and I would never see him again is a wailing mother in an industrial town of India called Ludhina, People are known for their lavish lifestyle and trading abilities। Migrants from all around India flock this town with a dream of two time food, clothes and shoes, Poor people small dreams......... but this is what makes them happy....... dreams are dreams small or large are based on our greed and lust and compassion.
Rajni and Ram Khilawan HAD a seven month baby, since both mother and father work as laborers on the roadside to repave the roads in scorching heat in middle of the congested Ludhina town, for the wealthy and their expansive cars, they had no provision for child care or can’t pay for it, so they always take their child with them, today mother fed the seven month old prince of her dreams and sang a lullaby to him, she was aware that she needs to work and the supervisor was checking the clock, she kissed hugged sang and put her son to sleep, to protect him from sun she made little tiny cloth tent over him and went to work, it was after couple of hours she did not hear any cry and she thought, he is sleeping so well today, being mother she went to check on him and found that the little tiny tent was on him, she went running to take it off him so he does not suffocate, but what she found was crushed body of her little angel, some one had driven over him and he was lying in peace for ever, never to wake up never to cry, would never ask for more milk and would never walk in this cruel town again.
As mother started wailing people stopped to see what happen and they started telling each other ohhh… nothing, someone crushed laborers child and went on to their daily routine, as it was nothing unusual .... not an important life, as if he was not a human being, or the tears rolling down the eyes of Ram Khilwan and Rajni mean nothing. "Poor get their share of grief and misery in double dose here."Many among the spectators were the people who believe in free advise but won't do anything to make a change, their comment were salt on the wound “ They should take care of their babies, they birth so many that they can’t keep count” they made comments without knowing that this was the only child this poor couple had. No sympathy and no one was willing to hug them or do something for them, police too was asking if they saw the vehicle which crushed the baby? Police is always helpless in India, they are bonded slaves to politicians by choice then they are committed to their job of protecting masses.
People kept looking and walking away and the couple kept crying bitterly, father would take cloth from the child to see him again and again and kept banging his head to the road, what he lost was so valuable that the wealth of whole world would never replace it. But they will get up and go to work otherwise they will have nothing to feed themselves, A dream for food, clothing and shelter brought them to this town of rich and famous, but a town which has lost all human values, the government which has no desire to protect the lives of these innocent babies, the nation which boosts to be the human and compassionate can’t afford to provide mother some financial help so she does not have to work on the road side with her son sleeping on the road. A nation where some women wear jewelry worth hundreds of thousands, while others yearn for a loaf of bread. A nation where some hotel rooms cost more a night then a laborer earns for the whole year.
Tomorrow will be a new day in town and no one would remember today except Rajni and Ram Khilawan, they will live with this wound for rest of their lives while this town of rich and famous would keep moving towards coldness and aloofness।
मैं द्रेचय यार लाचार हूँ!!
It was my Child and I would never see him again is a wailing mother in an industrial town of India called Ludhina, People are known for their lavish lifestyle and trading abilities। Migrants from all around India flock this town with a dream of two time food, clothes and shoes, Poor people small dreams......... but this is what makes them happy....... dreams are dreams small or large are based on our greed and lust and compassion.
Rajni and Ram Khilawan HAD a seven month baby, since both mother and father work as laborers on the roadside to repave the roads in scorching heat in middle of the congested Ludhina town, for the wealthy and their expansive cars, they had no provision for child care or can’t pay for it, so they always take their child with them, today mother fed the seven month old prince of her dreams and sang a lullaby to him, she was aware that she needs to work and the supervisor was checking the clock, she kissed hugged sang and put her son to sleep, to protect him from sun she made little tiny cloth tent over him and went to work, it was after couple of hours she did not hear any cry and she thought, he is sleeping so well today, being mother she went to check on him and found that the little tiny tent was on him, she went running to take it off him so he does not suffocate, but what she found was crushed body of her little angel, some one had driven over him and he was lying in peace for ever, never to wake up never to cry, would never ask for more milk and would never walk in this cruel town again.
As mother started wailing people stopped to see what happen and they started telling each other ohhh… nothing, someone crushed laborers child and went on to their daily routine, as it was nothing unusual .... not an important life, as if he was not a human being, or the tears rolling down the eyes of Ram Khilwan and Rajni mean nothing. "Poor get their share of grief and misery in double dose here."Many among the spectators were the people who believe in free advise but won't do anything to make a change, their comment were salt on the wound “ They should take care of their babies, they birth so many that they can’t keep count” they made comments without knowing that this was the only child this poor couple had. No sympathy and no one was willing to hug them or do something for them, police too was asking if they saw the vehicle which crushed the baby? Police is always helpless in India, they are bonded slaves to politicians by choice then they are committed to their job of protecting masses.
People kept looking and walking away and the couple kept crying bitterly, father would take cloth from the child to see him again and again and kept banging his head to the road, what he lost was so valuable that the wealth of whole world would never replace it. But they will get up and go to work otherwise they will have nothing to feed themselves, A dream for food, clothing and shelter brought them to this town of rich and famous, but a town which has lost all human values, the government which has no desire to protect the lives of these innocent babies, the nation which boosts to be the human and compassionate can’t afford to provide mother some financial help so she does not have to work on the road side with her son sleeping on the road. A nation where some women wear jewelry worth hundreds of thousands, while others yearn for a loaf of bread. A nation where some hotel rooms cost more a night then a laborer earns for the whole year.
Tomorrow will be a new day in town and no one would remember today except Rajni and Ram Khilawan, they will live with this wound for rest of their lives while this town of rich and famous would keep moving towards coldness and aloofness।
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Wood for Fire
मैं चुनता रहा लकडियाँ बर दोपहर, सोचता बी रहा गेलीं हैं बोहुत !
किया करून गा जलाऊँ गा कैसे औन्हय डोंड पांव गा माचिस की डेब्या कहाँ !!
कोन दे गा आतिश का सामान मुजे कोन समजे गा इस दिल की लाचारियन !
मांग लों गा औधारी मैं इक बार फिर, उन की मुस्कान की खातर जैय्ज़ है सब!!
बचे भूखे हैं घर मैं दाना नही, कब उगे गा गरीबों के घर मैं अनाज !
क्या करून गा मैं लकडइया धोंड किया चदाऊँ चूले पे इस बार मैं !!
सौचता मैं रहा किया करून किया खुदा, लाओं गा मैं पकाने को सामान किया!
मैं सौचता ही रहा की सुबह हो गई, आज की रात अन्खून मैं फिर काट दी !!
A walk down Memory Lane
जीवन क्या है, इक दोओर हवा का बड जाय छु कर के!
रह जाइन गी बस यादें और उन यादूँ की सरगम!!
कैसे कैसे लोग मिले और कैसी कैसी खूशियन !
बस ढूँढे गे उन यदून मैं तुम को और वो दुन्या !!
बीत गिए हैं कइतने मौसम और मौसम की रंजश !
डूंडा जिस को कोने कोने पाया दिल मैं हसरत बन कई!
कुछ दोंद्ले सी यादें औस की कुछ दुन्द्ले अफसाने!
लाख बूलाओं जिन किसोन को वो दिल मैं घर कर जायं
Thursday, February 19, 2009
I am HUNGRY.........
My journey from office to home, It was around 6pm, sky was gray with the thick cover of clouds, little drizzle was pouring, light traffic on the road, it was a mystic evening. As I was approaching a cross roads (stop light) I saw a sign Hungry in the hands of a old pale male. I looked at him from behind the running wipers. He was pale, cold, and direct under the drizzling rain.
It was long stop light, I took out my wallet to find so I can give him something, amazingly it was hard decision to pick between a dollar or five dollars, a battle inside me, a dollar won’t buy him food but five dollars are too much to give in these economic times, I always believed whatever you give out you get 100 fold back, (reason for me being open to offer), it might not be true but I believe and it makes me feel good, not necessary that I need feel good feelings but………………., it is combination of several things, humility on part of the person who is asking for food as he helps me to apply the attribute of generosity.
Times have changed and so is our way of thinking, previously I would not have battle of materialism and my inner conscious, but it seems materialism may be gaining edge over me, though I was able to give him six dollars as I noticed that all the food chains have increased their meal prices.
It is not often you find a person begging on the roadside here, after all we are the richest nation in the world, but things are changing with the poor economic situations, nothing like this I have seen in my life, a time when almost every one around is suffering, a global melt down contributed to the greed of corporate world, a situation which was let out of the hand as every one involved in the process was making money and every one wanted to jump on the fast moving wagon of wealth created by the hype of artificially inflated housing values or unrealistic projections of the business houses, every one was in hurry to get the ten folds on their investments, not their fault, I would do the same as I want the best of the world for my son, so do others, even though I always thought I was detached to the earthly possessions but the fact and realty is it is not true, we all are attached to the materialism to great extent.
I do see the signs of worry and pain on the faces of my friends and people I know, which have lost 70% of their savings and are looking to a bleak future and uncertain times, retirements are gone and some of them in their seventies have started hunting for jobs which are hard to find.
Impact is not regional but global, beggars in Delhi were used to five or ten bucks are lucky if they get a buck, Global recession has its impact to all those who went beyond their means and borrowed huge some of money based on their jobs, now these companies are gone so are the Jobs and earnings but left is a huge debt and no solution in sight. Youth who were flying in the high colors of success and progress are left jobless and broke, they bought expensive homes and cars all on the borrowed money, which was not a norm in Indian society, and for that matter older American generation also bought things which were in their means.
Corporate greed and unthinkable pay packages and bonuses were a nail in the coffin of recession. Now it is the general public which has the carry the dead carcass and find an appropriate grave to burry all the corporate greed. The fear in those eyes are reflected clear who have lost all their earnings to corporate jets and CEO salaries and are forced to a life of uncertainty and poverty for none of their faults and the Irony is that people responsible for the melt down are scot-free. They have their millions in off shore accounts and will bounce back when time is right and will live a life full of luxury.
I could see desire for a worm meal in the eyes of this old man but he had no fear of his future investments, I guess all he has was in his pocket, all he was concerned about a meal and a warm place to sleep.
It makes me think of those nomadic I used to work with, they will move from plains to hills with the season change along with the herd looking for the green pastures, they never had a permanent home or address, no bank balances, no cars, no luggage, no belongings of great value, they were always happy with whatever little they had, not too much attached to material things of the world but they were attached to their sheep and goats. I had a chance to learn a great deal from them, I was there to aware them about the importance of girl child education but they taught me to be selfless and detached. I was not able to give them anything but got a good deal of values from their culture. The best of the lesson was to put yourself in others shoe and then decide, I did the same when I saw this elderly man with the sign in hand hungry…. I was holding a Sign “Hungry Please Help” I was able to justify myself after seeing myself in those shoes.
It was long stop light, I took out my wallet to find so I can give him something, amazingly it was hard decision to pick between a dollar or five dollars, a battle inside me, a dollar won’t buy him food but five dollars are too much to give in these economic times, I always believed whatever you give out you get 100 fold back, (reason for me being open to offer), it might not be true but I believe and it makes me feel good, not necessary that I need feel good feelings but………………., it is combination of several things, humility on part of the person who is asking for food as he helps me to apply the attribute of generosity.
Times have changed and so is our way of thinking, previously I would not have battle of materialism and my inner conscious, but it seems materialism may be gaining edge over me, though I was able to give him six dollars as I noticed that all the food chains have increased their meal prices.
It is not often you find a person begging on the roadside here, after all we are the richest nation in the world, but things are changing with the poor economic situations, nothing like this I have seen in my life, a time when almost every one around is suffering, a global melt down contributed to the greed of corporate world, a situation which was let out of the hand as every one involved in the process was making money and every one wanted to jump on the fast moving wagon of wealth created by the hype of artificially inflated housing values or unrealistic projections of the business houses, every one was in hurry to get the ten folds on their investments, not their fault, I would do the same as I want the best of the world for my son, so do others, even though I always thought I was detached to the earthly possessions but the fact and realty is it is not true, we all are attached to the materialism to great extent.
I do see the signs of worry and pain on the faces of my friends and people I know, which have lost 70% of their savings and are looking to a bleak future and uncertain times, retirements are gone and some of them in their seventies have started hunting for jobs which are hard to find.
Impact is not regional but global, beggars in Delhi were used to five or ten bucks are lucky if they get a buck, Global recession has its impact to all those who went beyond their means and borrowed huge some of money based on their jobs, now these companies are gone so are the Jobs and earnings but left is a huge debt and no solution in sight. Youth who were flying in the high colors of success and progress are left jobless and broke, they bought expensive homes and cars all on the borrowed money, which was not a norm in Indian society, and for that matter older American generation also bought things which were in their means.
Corporate greed and unthinkable pay packages and bonuses were a nail in the coffin of recession. Now it is the general public which has the carry the dead carcass and find an appropriate grave to burry all the corporate greed. The fear in those eyes are reflected clear who have lost all their earnings to corporate jets and CEO salaries and are forced to a life of uncertainty and poverty for none of their faults and the Irony is that people responsible for the melt down are scot-free. They have their millions in off shore accounts and will bounce back when time is right and will live a life full of luxury.
I could see desire for a worm meal in the eyes of this old man but he had no fear of his future investments, I guess all he has was in his pocket, all he was concerned about a meal and a warm place to sleep.
It makes me think of those nomadic I used to work with, they will move from plains to hills with the season change along with the herd looking for the green pastures, they never had a permanent home or address, no bank balances, no cars, no luggage, no belongings of great value, they were always happy with whatever little they had, not too much attached to material things of the world but they were attached to their sheep and goats. I had a chance to learn a great deal from them, I was there to aware them about the importance of girl child education but they taught me to be selfless and detached. I was not able to give them anything but got a good deal of values from their culture. The best of the lesson was to put yourself in others shoe and then decide, I did the same when I saw this elderly man with the sign in hand hungry…. I was holding a Sign “Hungry Please Help” I was able to justify myself after seeing myself in those shoes.
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