The School of Life

I just learned the biggest lesson of my life. GIVING is the most beautiful and selfless act of compassion we can commit as humans. A beggar woman came wandering in my apartment complex with her two young children- a toddler boy and her infant girl. She asked for some food and clothes for her children. It was a heart-breaking sight. My mother heard her and packed some food and clothes for the kids and a saree with blouses for the woman. As I went down to give her these things, I heard some woman shout angrily at her about entering the complex saying it wasn't open to beggars. The woman kept pleading about her kids and to have some mercy. I reached and gave her the food first and she kept blessing me, until I gave her the saree seeing which her eyes filled with tears. She lifted aside her torn shawl and said she has been wearing rags so that she could cover her kids. When I handed her the kids clothes, she almost sprang to touch my feet. I was in tears to see her do it. What have we reduced our fellow beings to? Why have we let things come to such despair?

While walking back to my house, I encountered the woman who screamed angrily at the poor woman sometime ago. She stopped me in my way and said I mustn't encourage such destitute people for they keep coming back for more. I felt so enraged but decided to ignore her jibe and kept walking. So many thoughts were going through my mind then and even now as I write here. Why is our treatment of those who have lesser than us, so grim and mean? Why do we forget that all of us could get into such terrible accidents of fate and misjudgements that could lead us to poverty? We have forgotten to behave like humans. Or worse, we have altered the course of being human. No longer do we encompass kindness and empathy towards the needy.

Our perception towards poor people has become that of disgust and contempt. We blame them for their poverty which makes no sense because the economy and social conditions leave nothing to fight against. The governments have been collapsing over economic crisis and people just cannot blame on a certain section of society for poverty alone. The school of life teaches one and many that there are good times and there are bad times for everyone. Our understanding of those who have less than we do will help us in searching for solutions to close this huge rift between the better off and the poor. There is something called as 'Social Accountability' which we all need to be a part of to give back to the society. Mere governments cannot be depended upon to solve all problems of the people. We as citizens must take steps to create solutions as alternate means to provide relief and opportunities. That is an inclusive society, which takes everyone from the lowest rung to the highest to serve themselves than depending upon agencies or the government. Imagine the possibilities of mass movements that cater to economic and poverty crisis like the Occupy Wall Street movement except here, we could work on creating self-sufficient work groups which address problems and work towards them. It is possible. The power of people is not to be underrated. The democratic strength of We, the People is stronger in person than on paper.