EXISTENCE
Existence itself is nothing without dignity.
I happened to get down from auto rickshaw opposite Pune railway station. A young woman was begging on the footpath. She had a 8-9 month old baby without clothes in her hands. The baby was shown to me in such a way that I could see the badly burnt private parts of the baby. It was as if the baby was badly abused and left to the mercy of nature. What kind of pain and agony the child might have gone through. I could not prevent myself from giving that disgusting expression. The lady smiled in a way as if the battle was half won.
A sea of thoughts ran across my mind. Several questions remained unanswered as ever.
Why are babies used for begging? Why can’t the law of land take care of children? Why is child abuse tolerated? And so on………
I convinced myself that the world is like this and everybody has his own world to live. I better fight for my own existence than to worry and started walking. There was a fight between my mind and my heart. The compassion in my heart wanted to do something for the child but the pragmatic mind did not allow. This was not the first occasion for them to differ. It had been a long lasting battle and would go on and on.
Civilization is the only difference between man and animals. Surprisingly animals take care of their young ones till the time the young ones are able to live on their own. What about man? We failed to do even that. Are we really more civilized than animals? Does civilization mean flyovers, sea links, buildings, roads, etc or is there any other term to be used.
When a girl is raped, the entire world wants to know if the girl had crossed 18 years of age or not just to evaluate the term of sentence. Nobody really bothers. The media is busy making interesting stories than actually condemning the crime. Everybody wants to use an incident as an opportunity to market himself. The mental trauma the girl goes through is of no significance. In fact it gives us a kick as if reading a porno in the newspaper. We want to know all the details in entirety. The children on the streets are physically, mentally and emotionally raped every second in this shit land of ours. We do nothing because we too are helpless. The country got freedom and not the countrymen.
Children are used as a means of earning. Children are exploited everywhere. Is it acceptable to us? Children do have rights to live with dignity. Should elders be allowed to take advantage of children like this? Are we protecting the rights of children?
If 18 years is considered for a human to be grown up and can understand his own needs, then the law of land should take care of child till he is 18. No matter what, basic needs like food, clothing and shelter should be considered as the fundamental rights of every new born regardless of religion, caste, complexion, gender, etc.
I do not accept any law of land, which does not have provision for looking after children who are not cared for by their parents. The law must take care of such children till they are grown up. The law of land that does not address protection of children should better start questioning its own existence.
It is said that the fittest shall survive. Few children have all the luxuries in life and the children of lesser God just starve for no fault. How can they be fit to survive? Is this equality? Give them opportunity and they will definitely be much fitter.
Mumbai shall be running for a cause. Most of us shall be looking at it as an opportunity to market ourselves. When shall we run for a CAUSE?
Be compassionate. The strength is within you. Explore yourself.
Please WAKE UP.
Compassionately yours,
Ashish
