I Weep For RamDulara!
Every morning I go out to
work,Ramdulara is scouring the garbage and Magloo his pet
dog is giving him a company. Like everyday we pass smile
but Ramdualra always greet me with moist eyes.'Jai Ram Ji
Ki Bhaiyya!(Hello Brother ! May God be with you).He
understands that I do not want him to continue this
work .However we both understand that there are limited
options for street
children like him. Like many of his
fellow workers, he survives on meagre income and eats
whatever leftover he gets from others. One day after being
advised on safety measures while performing this appalling
work, he answered back. ‘ Please do not! I may not meet
you next summer. Then you can give this gem of knowledge
to some one else.’ His best friend Kalian told me that
Ramdulara has contacted tuberculosis and constantly spews
blood. He is right because many of his ilks working as
sanitary workers have no place to call their home. They
stay at whatever place they get- roadside shanties or
pavement. They eat at roadside eateries which serve you
stale and malnourished meal. And what to talk about
clothing and bedding. You may find them in old torn
clothes given by many in superstition to ward off some ill
wish.
As usual these street children consume illicit
liquor and other intoxicants under belief that these
provide you momentary escape in make belief world of
strength and fun.
Ironically it looks strange that there
is breed of activists who claim to work for them. You may
find them in top-notch hotels and clubs organising some
exhibition or fashion show to sensitise the masses but
who are the guests! The same indifferent people for whom
Ramdualra works. These
activities are known as fund
raising activities but the hard truth is only the
organisers are reaping benefits of them. Moreover, as
Ramdulara told me once, Such high talk is good for people
like you but we have to work and die while cleaning
garbage. Many social scientists write about these N.G.O’S
which are nothing but medium of earning well and it is a
good joke that if you want to climb social ladder, take
help of N.G.O.’S. These are managed by well off
personalities who take help of their patrons whenever
circumstances arise and the show goes on
However, what
about Ramdulara and young children. Are they simple
subject of research .When will some one get up and take
steps to improve conditions of these children when will
they live like human beings. I know it is sad but perhaps
never or in some distant future when Ramdulara will not
around us!
(Ashish Dimri, a freelancing Journalist
wrote this article)