Having woken up at 10 in the morning, I wandered aimlessly across my house. I had been rejected a new Ipod not long ago, by my parents. Reason: I had bought myself a new camera, novels and umpteen other gadgets just a month ago. This was an unnecessary ask. Sipping my coffee, I was traversing the length and breadth of the newspaper. Out of nowhere, I heard a cry.
It was the little child on the construction site who failed to sped past my vision. He'd injured himself while playing in the pebbles that were littered all round. He peered into his palm, in scarlet red, covered with blood in vain. His cry was feeble. He had finished a breakfast which never was. His sister, another young girl, was examining the cut he has suffered, in utter helplessness and disdain. I had woken up to dark, stark reality! I had just finished taking photos of them. The denial of basic amenities for them irked me. That's not the way things have to be. I dream big. Perhaps, it's because of the education and exposure I'm provided with. What of them? The young people here don't attend schools. Their parents are helpless. They can't afford a convent school for these children. Their ignorance is pathetic. Their future is at stake!
Long ago, when I was a child, I'd waved at a passing Airplane. When they wave at another Airplane which passes by, I feel angry. Why are they denied a chance to study? What significance does 'Right to Education Act' passed by the Government hold to them? I am at crossroads trying to figure the maze out. "Poverty is unfortunate. But for a child, it is the most unfortunate. It is misery in its worst possible avatar." Right to Education Act promises compulsory education to all children from six to fourteen years of age. Any act, be it a landmark act (as in the case of Women's Reservation Bill) needs indiscriminate implementation for its significance. India is proud of RTE Act. Yet, its initiation at the grassroots level is a far cry from what has been achieved elsewhere.
While I wile away time with these ideas, the boy screams out once again. He had held an iron rod while playing, which hurt his hand, once again. I'm hurt as well. My heart goes out for him! I wish he comes up trumps in his life. I can only hope and pray. Perhaps, his parents have to realize the child's dream. My dreams of owning an Ipod vanish when I think of him. I have a meagre dream. My society has got a better dream about every child. Somewhere down the line, the dreams of this young mind will become true and his face and life will all be lit up. There's definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. Let us work towards finding the light! If we achieve, we'll be happy. If we don't, there's nothing to worry, "We've given our best shot though!"
Cheers,
Gopsay.
1 shouts!:
Well, my reformist pal, just to ask, did you end up helping that boy by giving him basic first-aid or were you just too frustrated by the 'government's ignorance of the RTE act?'
No offense, but if we, the people give a hand in helping the needy as much as we can, then the various rules and acts the government implements, or the lack of it thereof, can come into debate. :/
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