#unequal development

Life is a struggle for them, yet they sport a broad smile on their face. They are common people whom we come across during our daily lives like the maids, delivery boys, grocery vendors, even waiters, and water-boys in restaurants. They labor hard, some harder than many of us, yet they earn far too less to fulfill even their basic needs. With income ranging from as low as Rs.3000/pm to not more than Rs.8000/pm, they remain cash strapped for the most period of a month. There are also others who survive with much lesser money due to their physical disabilities, for lack of support from their families, and other age-related woes.

Our society is equally responsible for their plight, as we still distinguish labor forms. We never see how depriving them of even a decent wage or salary affects their lives. The result: They remain stuck within a financial quagmire, which binds them to merely surviving the present day. It never offers them the luxury of building a future. In spite of it, many of these people push themselves harder to ensure that their children don't face a similar destiny as they do.

This world around us is real. These people too are part of our lives. Some of them may not hesitate to ask for help. But, there are also others who keep their hardships close to their heart, never parting them with anyone to seek compassion, this could be because even in giving we create a wedge among people. While a patron remains at a raised pedestal as a noble soul, the receiver stands beneath as a wretched one. We sing praises of the giver, so much so that any self-dignified receiver would cringe in shy.

Charity for pride has been killing welfare as a cause. Banners, brand names, and adjectives have made charity into a mockery. We may feel appeased with efforts taken by charitable organizations, even with random efforts and hollow promises of our elected leaders and conclude that it's enough if we contribute to them, as they would take care of disadvantaged people of our society. In return, we too may get tax exemption.

While there may be organizations, which genuinely work at the grass root levels to uplift downtrodden people in the society, the truth is that such organizations are countable in numbers. We cannot bundle all charities and trusts together and adjudge them as genuine via media to reach funds to deserving people. We should know where the money goes. Is it going to those in need or those in greed? Many businesses, even politicians, and god-men, register and run charities to avail tax exemptions to reroute illegal funds and convert black into white currency. This calls for the need to scrutinize charity organizations, also the need to decentralize charity. Why should we outsource charity? Can't we do it ourselves? Perhaps we should overcome our hesitations to reach out to people around us. There is a joy in sharing, which each one of us must cherish. It's needless to say, how many individuals are doing a silent reformation of the society without seeking rewards, recognition, and pride. And that's how any act of charity should be.

Charity shouldn't impose one upon another and make the receiver feel forever indebted. That's not the kind of society and support system we want to create. Charity should provide a stepping stone for deserving people to become self-reliant. It should provide support, but not make a person dependent. It should not replace self-endeavor in people or labor for survival. By taking them away, we may be taking away their individuality and independent strive for self- evolution. But for all others who cannot labor (like support-less children and elderly citizens, differently-abled and those suffering from severe ailments) we should offer a full-fledged support.

Giving away old and used clothing cannot be called as charity. It's just a sustainable way to dispose of waste, which might get reused by people to whom even used clothing is still a luxury. We need a society that does away with disparity. Charity should have a standard that tells people, "We are equals. You are in no way a lesser being than me."

A simple way to start sharing is by keeping aside a dedicated portion of our monthly income for economically less advantaged people in our surrounding or with whom we acquaint. We could provide them and their families a standard minimum support every month, in kind or by cash. We could buy them an essential quantity of grains and pulses or pay for their medical bills or education of their children. In whatever limited way, even if we think it's a paltry sum, we should start sharing. The joy of sharing is unparalleled. Even if it is momentary the moment displays how mutual survival is superior to self-centered development. 'Sharing' can create a world free from animosity and make us feel one with others, as members of one communion of humans, supporting each other like a family.

Article by Ajay Kumar Jagadeesh