It is with a sense of concern that I have come face to face with the reality of actual hunger in my country.There are extremely malnutritioned and sick babies in the nooks and corners of India ignored,unaccounted for.With a deep sense of shame I call out all the big time politicians who have benefitted from the votes of the common man in UP,I call out the film-stars who with their head held high say they are from UP ,to all the celebritties and average Indian men and women who donate millions of rupees to the temples ...how could they not be aware of existance of these extremely poor people tied up in the bondages of poverty,ignorance and just plain hunger.
Talking to one of the community health personals whilst conducting literacy classes they found that there were certain women group who were very dull and just could not pick up the lessons.On making further enquiry it was found when they had food in the house the first person to eat would be the men and then the children would eat and after that women would drink the water the rice was cooked in.
They arranged food for the group and within a few months they started smartening up.
Varsha,all of one and half years ,weighed 4 KGs ,would not cry,had impetigoes all over her hands and legs.She was brought into the out-patient by her grandmother who had just one plea,'please save my grandchild ,I don't have any money.'We arranged for her to be admitted ,made a plan not only to treat her but to support her nutritionally as well.We arranged for a room for her since we thought she might have a longer haul.
By evening my junior called up to inform me that the bystander was fighting with the staff to be released to take the patient home.I walked back with my colleague to try and understand what was happening.
The grandmother had left the child with her very pregnant mother who apparently had two more children at home.Her husband was away across the Ganga to find work so that he could pay for this child's treatment.Her arguement was that she had to arrange for ration for the kids at home and she herself was hungry.We offered to arrange meals for her and the two children at home and then she came up with the actual reason ,she wanted to take the child to see an Ojha or a witch doctor.Where do you start reasoning with such logic,one could hardly restrain her so we let her go home with the promise that she would come the next day with the child.She never came.
As poor as they are ,they are also tied up in knots of superstition,ignorance and rituals.They are tough to get through to.They are not employed by the high caste people due to their untouchability status and so the viscious cycle goes on.
This is India where we have an Indian in the Forbes richest list and all the government machineries are favoured towards helping them grow richer and there is tiny Varsha's all over the country unaccounted for,uncared and ignored.
Weep ,my beloved country,in shame.
Talking to one of the community health personals whilst conducting literacy classes they found that there were certain women group who were very dull and just could not pick up the lessons.On making further enquiry it was found when they had food in the house the first person to eat would be the men and then the children would eat and after that women would drink the water the rice was cooked in.
They arranged food for the group and within a few months they started smartening up.
Varsha,all of one and half years ,weighed 4 KGs ,would not cry,had impetigoes all over her hands and legs.She was brought into the out-patient by her grandmother who had just one plea,'please save my grandchild ,I don't have any money.'We arranged for her to be admitted ,made a plan not only to treat her but to support her nutritionally as well.We arranged for a room for her since we thought she might have a longer haul.
By evening my junior called up to inform me that the bystander was fighting with the staff to be released to take the patient home.I walked back with my colleague to try and understand what was happening.
The grandmother had left the child with her very pregnant mother who apparently had two more children at home.Her husband was away across the Ganga to find work so that he could pay for this child's treatment.Her arguement was that she had to arrange for ration for the kids at home and she herself was hungry.We offered to arrange meals for her and the two children at home and then she came up with the actual reason ,she wanted to take the child to see an Ojha or a witch doctor.Where do you start reasoning with such logic,one could hardly restrain her so we let her go home with the promise that she would come the next day with the child.She never came.
As poor as they are ,they are also tied up in knots of superstition,ignorance and rituals.They are tough to get through to.They are not employed by the high caste people due to their untouchability status and so the viscious cycle goes on.
This is India where we have an Indian in the Forbes richest list and all the government machineries are favoured towards helping them grow richer and there is tiny Varsha's all over the country unaccounted for,uncared and ignored.
Weep ,my beloved country,in shame.
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