Child is The Father of The Man
‘Maggi ache dada’……Age 8-10 years, shiny bright eyes, clad in rags and dreaming of riches. This fascinating rookie was introducing himself to the ruthlessness of this brutal world. Hoping to make it big here, he was calmly defying his slumber and compromising with random abuses of elite privileged people who were performing the roles of customers there. Running from table 1 to 20 and trying for perfection in each of his move, this future of India was completely unaware of approaching vicious circle and poverty culture which has engulfed many of his likes in due course of time.
As a part of his routine exercise he came to me. I asked his name. Answer was something in Bengali which meant ‘Maggi is already placed at your table Sir!’ .Language barrier halted our further interaction but to read him was not an uphill task. Nothing much he was having with him except plethora of hopes in his shiny eyes and happiness in his bright face. Happiness, a part of which came from the feeling that he is no more burden in this economy of exchange and other part which can be attributed to his optimism .Both of them are not going to serve him longer. Both will fade with time and this is the gift that we give to our dear heirs. We are too myopic to care about these obvious social injustices as we are used to these regular scenes of human rights violation.
Government of India has recently passed a bill to prohibit any involvement of children under 14 in work. Arrangements for free education up to 14 years and mid-day meal scheme are also there. But all these provisions are coming a cropper. All these rules have become part of constitution but they are still not instilled in our conscience. We don’t feel ashamed or guilty in making our foundations weak and preparing a pool of children who have developed considerable amount of negative outlook before ushering in their youth. Indian socialism is still unrealized and ideals of equal opportunity and social justice are far away from their ground state implementation and we are highly responsible as we are inconsiderate enough for many considerable issues. Now, the turn is to amend ourselves as constitution has changed himself more than 100 times.
Ten minutes later I was again intervened by the same sweet voice “aur kuchh lagega dada”….”Nothing”, I said. You have given me a lot but I have nothing to give you except bill of your proprietor and thanks to you. I paid the bill, caressed his face gave him something and headed towards my hall. Perhaps my responsibility was not over but the episode was over. I completely chewed the cud of this food for thought. I was again busy with my LAN. Don’t know yet, is child really the father of the man?
As a part of his routine exercise he came to me. I asked his name. Answer was something in Bengali which meant ‘Maggi is already placed at your table Sir!’ .Language barrier halted our further interaction but to read him was not an uphill task. Nothing much he was having with him except plethora of hopes in his shiny eyes and happiness in his bright face. Happiness, a part of which came from the feeling that he is no more burden in this economy of exchange and other part which can be attributed to his optimism .Both of them are not going to serve him longer. Both will fade with time and this is the gift that we give to our dear heirs. We are too myopic to care about these obvious social injustices as we are used to these regular scenes of human rights violation.
Government of India has recently passed a bill to prohibit any involvement of children under 14 in work. Arrangements for free education up to 14 years and mid-day meal scheme are also there. But all these provisions are coming a cropper. All these rules have become part of constitution but they are still not instilled in our conscience. We don’t feel ashamed or guilty in making our foundations weak and preparing a pool of children who have developed considerable amount of negative outlook before ushering in their youth. Indian socialism is still unrealized and ideals of equal opportunity and social justice are far away from their ground state implementation and we are highly responsible as we are inconsiderate enough for many considerable issues. Now, the turn is to amend ourselves as constitution has changed himself more than 100 times.
Ten minutes later I was again intervened by the same sweet voice “aur kuchh lagega dada”….”Nothing”, I said. You have given me a lot but I have nothing to give you except bill of your proprietor and thanks to you. I paid the bill, caressed his face gave him something and headed towards my hall. Perhaps my responsibility was not over but the episode was over. I completely chewed the cud of this food for thought. I was again busy with my LAN. Don’t know yet, is child really the father of the man?
posted by Krishna at 11:33 PM
1 Comments:
gud one dude..keep it up
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