It seems we have given up on equality. Intelligent brains that include economists, scientists, planners, leaders have accepted it as a ‘given’ that equality is more of a theoretical word, it is not applicable. The dissension between the rich and poor is increasing every year; some plans may be working but the number is so huge that we are unable to erase this ‘economic problem’ from the face of the earth. Some poems of Shelley and Tagore still seem relevant. Poor and the downtrodden are surviving despite the rich, not because of them. Numerous examples galore in society that make the gap look vulgar. One has to ignore or develop the art of overlooking to survive in this world of difference, with indifference, or worse still with plastic concern. This economic problem is a permanent resident in most parts of the ‘developing countries’ by design.
The rich survives because of the poor. This is true for any industry, from salt to diamond. The rich are insecure; they refuse to try alternative thinking. Naturally therefore, it is here to stay. For as long as we shove equality, it can never see its day, unless we have repetition of sad incidents where peasants and fisherwomen go out on the streets and screech to demand ‘liberty, equality and fraternity’. In this battle for equality, we need the rich as well as the poor. While the rich are insecure, the poor are happy and content being poor; if these two issues are addressed then the miracle can happen.
In this lesser part of the world, beggars are found everywhere; in temples, shopping malls, multiplexes. I am told that there is a huge industry that thrives on beggars. These ‘industrialists’ do severe limbs of children or other parts of their body to attract attention of the passers-by. How is this possible even today I wonder!
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