So far I have been hit by the reality of poverty of UP.I have met people and more people ,layers of them everywhere.It has been a walk on a tight rope with daily update from home about mom's health.I came to Kachwa with a sixteen kilogram suitcase ,a backpack and a guitar.Somehow I managed the first week living off my suitcase.
With a mind to pick up some household items from 'big bazaar I travelled to Varanasi and I was overwhelmed with more humanity and layers of them.Relaxed and satisfied crowd in the city,one person on a bike in the traffic suddenly took a fancy to the modified bolero pickup and while the traffic was moving ,put his head into the driver's side and earnestly wanted to know the price of the vehicle.He was on a scooter by the way.Where in the world would you find such class acts?
Waiting for the car to drive in from the parking lot I sat in a shed where a couple of men were sitting whiling time.I asked them a couple of questions about the city and an elderly gentleman ,at leisure gave me a lot of advice,once the car came he helped load all the stuff into the car amiably.
Nearer home the reality strikes in.Poverty is to be seen to be believed.Government hospitals are overburdened and nobody could care less.I saw a lot of cachectic children but the one that struck me was a baby from a musahir family( a family of 'rat-eaters').The parents looked well enough but the child was skin and bones.With a sky high fever and convulsion ,there did not seem to be much hope.My colleagues knew the family well and so we were working towards a charity.The baby recovered by God's grace.The mother was a dignified lady who did not say much.When I asked her if she had had her dinner she said she had eaten her meal.That was when I realised that she was talking about the morning meal.Very quietly she informed me they only ate once a day.
Last few days in Kachwa,I have been awestruck quite a few times.That is saying a lot since I have worked in some of the most deprived regions of India.So much to learn and so much of work to be done in me.
Impression of Varanasi beyond the ghats and Ganga.
With a mind to pick up some household items from 'big bazaar I travelled to Varanasi and I was overwhelmed with more humanity and layers of them.Relaxed and satisfied crowd in the city,one person on a bike in the traffic suddenly took a fancy to the modified bolero pickup and while the traffic was moving ,put his head into the driver's side and earnestly wanted to know the price of the vehicle.He was on a scooter by the way.Where in the world would you find such class acts?
Waiting for the car to drive in from the parking lot I sat in a shed where a couple of men were sitting whiling time.I asked them a couple of questions about the city and an elderly gentleman ,at leisure gave me a lot of advice,once the car came he helped load all the stuff into the car amiably.
Nearer home the reality strikes in.Poverty is to be seen to be believed.Government hospitals are overburdened and nobody could care less.I saw a lot of cachectic children but the one that struck me was a baby from a musahir family( a family of 'rat-eaters').The parents looked well enough but the child was skin and bones.With a sky high fever and convulsion ,there did not seem to be much hope.My colleagues knew the family well and so we were working towards a charity.The baby recovered by God's grace.The mother was a dignified lady who did not say much.When I asked her if she had had her dinner she said she had eaten her meal.That was when I realised that she was talking about the morning meal.Very quietly she informed me they only ate once a day.
Last few days in Kachwa,I have been awestruck quite a few times.That is saying a lot since I have worked in some of the most deprived regions of India.So much to learn and so much of work to be done in me.
Impression of Varanasi beyond the ghats and Ganga.
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