Darkness. There
is darkness all over this place not even a beam of light can invade here. I am
lost in this vicious circle . I don't want to live in this jail. I don't want
to live in this bondage. I want to be free. I am hungry. I can die at any
moment. I am hungry."
Can you
recognise me ? No ! You don't even know my name. But, you know who I am ? I am
the one that cleans up all the dishes of your house! I am the one who cleans
your car. I am the one who mends your shoes. I am the one who wheedle the garbage
in the hope of getting a silver coin. I am the one whose face burns in the
smoky factories of fireworks. I am the one who cleans up the road every morning
for you to walk upon. I am the one who does your grunt and untidy work so that
you can lead your life. I am the POOR. I am poverty.
Like you, I also
have a family ! A mom, a sister but no dad. He left us in this darkness, that
is hauntingus every day , every hour ,every second. Alone. He left us to
survive in this poverty. To survive alone. To fight alone. You know, I was not
born like this. I was not born with these shaggy clothes. People say our
country has developed. But for me it is still the same. I am still there where
I was some years back. My home is still there in that dark alley that no one cares
or knows about. There is a woman in my home with a frail face, with lines of
struggle and eyes that has lost its shine. She is in front of fire since
morning, cooking our meal which is barely enough for even one of us. But still
that small amount of food is heaven for us. She has to wake up every morning
for work, putting up a smiling face that shadows the agony and suffering, that
she faces every day. I have a sister, who can just dream about going to school.
I want her to be educated ,to lead her own life independently. To play and
learn. But, when I search my pocket for any penny I hardly find any for her
school fees. I have got none to buy her any happiness. She wants toys , she
wants to play, she wants to go to school like every other child. But, she is
too small to realise our miserable condition. We are deprived of the luxuries
that you get, which we can only dream of !
You might be
having a pleasant day today. You might be having a nice time with your family.
You might be enjoying and playing with your friends. You don't have to worry
for the next meal. But, you know what I am doing ? You know how my day went ?
My day went in scrounging for food, for work, for something to get through this
day. But, each second and each thing just reminds me of my state. It seems like
I can't get over this no matter how hard I try or want to. This is a never
ending tunnel of despair and hopelessness, that engulfs me in more I try to get
out of it. Now that you know what I am going through , what will you do ?
You might feel
empathy for me ! But, it will be just another thing you read, just another
piece of writing, nothing else ! You will go on with your life. You can do
nothing. Nothing at all. But, only you can try to change my state. You can take
a step. Only you can get this child out of darkness.
Amaresh
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