INDIA SHINING
This slogan cost NDA its government since it was not in sync with the prevailing conditions of people. Aam Adhmi replaced this slogan and UPA managed to cobble together a majority and surprisingly won a second term as well beating the Majboot neta. But the slogan is quite appealing. Not that I share the optimism of some Pro US elements in policy making who claim that India is a major super power in the making forgetting the starvation deaths, large sections of the population living without civic amenities.I was carried away by the slogan when I saw group of young men from the State of Orissa taking up jobs like moulding, melting, grinding in foundry shops in my home town and some of them are engaged in construction work as well. Orissa is one of the most poverty stricken states in India where starvation deaths regularly occur in the district of Koraput . While I was in Kolkatta, I had seen Oriya women doing all and sundry work in Bengali households including cooking. While the Biharis were toiling in Burra Bazar in such works no body will dare attempt doing, household works, works in local restaurants were looked after by Oriyas. While I was on a commissioning job in MPSEB Sarni young boys - tribals from Chattisgarh were doing very demanding physical labor for pittance. There were no safety kits available but the boys were laying cables in drench lying over 100 feet above the ground level, crawling all the way. My heart beat was nevertheless going up and I was silently praying for them. Those boys were enjoying the demanding work. I asked them as to how much they get paid. I was told they get Rs.50 per day of hard work. These boys who are from underprivileged sections of our society have no laws for their welfare and no one seems to care for them. They work to support their families. They are the people on whose shoulders India rests. When I see such people, I am moved and am reminded of my obligations towards the society. When we will be able to eradicate child labor from India while providing succor to poor families all over?
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