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Does It Matter?
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E-mailMade Popular Aug 30 2008
India :
My name? Why? Its all there on the mandatory registration cards with the housing complex security.
I exist. I make life easy for you. If I take leave you may have to miss office. Your day’s schedule has to be called off. You have to order food worth more than my whole month’s salary. My child’s fever? How does it matter? My child’s education? Does it really matter?
Yes. I’ll bring her along everyday. She’ll be your single child’s play mate. Her wish? We live a single day at a time. Anyways I may have send her for house-hold chores elsewhere. So why not? Pay a little extra, pay for her food and clothes, she’ll tag along and keep your little one amused. Her future? ????????
My name too is there with the security agencies. I am one of the guards here. I exist. I make life safe for you. I stand guard almost 12×7. I keep an eye on your car, home and your child strolling and playing in park when you are away. Yes. I have a fixed income. But the agency I work for takes a cut. Also I had to take a loan to give bribe for this job. So what I take home to feed a family of five is really meagre. Yes. I have to be watchful. Other day a kid came running in front of a car to pick up a ball. No. No one was hurt. But my fellow security guy was sacked for not being watchful. No. I cannot tell you anything more. My future? ??????
I ring your door bell every morning. If I am late, you get furious. Yes, the bell which you ignore and say,”oh, its the newspaper!” Yes, I have to reach newspapers as early as possible and almost within a same time span. I know you have to rush in the morning after catching a glimpse of headlines, tea and breakfast. I study in a day school. I need to earn my pocket-money. Yes. We don’t have many increments or job security. Its difficult to get this work too. My father knew a vendor...I don’t know if he had pay a commission...Exams? I can afford to miss my exams but not my morning date with your closed doors. Only once I went my teacher’s house for some project work in the early hours and I was late by 20 mins. Whew! Everyone was furious...I almost lost my job...My future? ????
Come on, dear. Leave it. Does it matter? We are getting a proper service. Thats the bottomline.
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Does it matter? This is a question as cruel and torturous as it may get. Come to think of it nothing matters.. Not you child’s education, not the newspaper arriving late, guard losing the job, and not my existence either. When nothing has a point and when nothing really matters, why do we continue? Since it doesn’t matter, it’s existence is absurd. Madhuri, Did you dream of Albert Camus last night?
(Local Perspectives)
Hmm, clinical psychologist’s eye...
Yes, you’ll make it good professionally. I was indeed browsing Albert Camus on Net couple of days back!
And I don’t remember most of my dreams and nightmares...only after effects are there thro’ the day...this could be one...
LOL
Yes, you’ll make it good professionally. I was indeed browsing Albert Camus on Net couple of days back!
And I don’t remember most of my dreams and nightmares...only after effects are there thro’ the day...this could be one...
LOL
(Local Perspectives)
But it’s very useful, especially in testing, Jaiyant. And you’re on your way to becoming a doctor! ;)
(Global Perspectives)
Yeah and also in analyzing radicalism and other such issues.. Right? In fact, I like Sigmund Freud.. I don’t like the rest of the ’scientific’ psychology. Freud was such a cool guy. He at least had the courage to consider the darker side of life and not limit it to salivation, hunger, learning, dogs and monkeys.
(Local Perspectives)
Yeah I know... There seems to be a certain privilege that a wage payer deems to have. It is really a mucky residue of colonial upbringing and culture.
I have seen people who command support staff like they own these people’s lives. Actually, we only pay them for services rendered. But some people think it’s the lives of these menial workers that they have bought through wages.
At home, I’m used to having domestic helpers, assistants, drivers, etc. But when I go abroad or live in another country for a short while, I don’t have a support staff. I do household chores, bring my clothes to the laundromat, do the driving myself, etc etc. Which make me appreciate my support staff back home even more.
I have seen people who command support staff like they own these people’s lives. Actually, we only pay them for services rendered. But some people think it’s the lives of these menial workers that they have bought through wages.
At home, I’m used to having domestic helpers, assistants, drivers, etc. But when I go abroad or live in another country for a short while, I don’t have a support staff. I do household chores, bring my clothes to the laundromat, do the driving myself, etc etc. Which make me appreciate my support staff back home even more.
(Global Perspectives)
Grace,
You know there is a wall between these very seperate worlds of ’ours’ and ’theirs’ and any questioning meets a deafning silence...
You know there is a wall between these very seperate worlds of ’ours’ and ’theirs’ and any questioning meets a deafning silence...
(Local Perspectives)
In some cases, even, the menial workers don’t even dare question. That’s absolute oppression, when they do not even expect themselves to have a voice.
(Global Perspectives)
India has always been colonized Grace.. From thousands of years.. We have that colonial mindset in us. We had it even before the Europeans came in. In fact Indians are a mixture of various colonizing and colonized peoples. Colonizing India started even before Greeks invaded Punjab.. So, for us, who is ’low’ and ’high’ becomes a barrier and there is absolutely no interaction whatsoever. Each one is insignificant to the other..
(Local Perspectives)
Unfortunately, Grace the need is mutual, we need them as much they need us. This service sector should become less oppressive and more regulated...I don’t know how...but stats are disturbing ...
Inspite of laws against child labour I see these small girl-childs as playmates and what more, some people even have registered these girls as family member in housing complex registers to avoid any legal loopholes!
Inspite of laws against child labour I see these small girl-childs as playmates and what more, some people even have registered these girls as family member in housing complex registers to avoid any legal loopholes!
(Local Perspectives)
I guess separation of classes is more pronounced in India, especially with a caste-based system.
But it’s also the same over here where colonial mentality is very strong. Which probably makes it worse because we don’t even have an institutionalized social classification system.
But it’s also the same over here where colonial mentality is very strong. Which probably makes it worse because we don’t even have an institutionalized social classification system.
(Global Perspectives)
Grace, discrimination is the same everywhere. It might be subtle in places but at the end of the day somebody is getting discriminated against, which is not what we would like to see. The classes will never interact with one another..
(Local Perspectives)
Very true Grace...This is a brilliant article that reflects on the side of life we tend to ignore at most times. The good part is that Madhuri has put across her feeling in the simplest of words but with a deep embed meaning. This is what we wish to read more often on insta and that is why people like Madhuri make it special. Our errands are of utmost priority to us and the people who normally assist us in keeping the routine going are ignored. Their Ignominies simply do not matter to us for we don’t have time to realize that even they have a life. This is why most people who suffer call Life a Hard Truth.
(Local Perspectives)
Thank you, Atul for reading and commenting so generously...even I can only weave words and do nothing more...
There are so many people who make sure we meet our priorities but they are there never on any priority list in society...their exploitation continues...
There are so many people who make sure we meet our priorities but they are there never on any priority list in society...their exploitation continues...
(Local Perspectives)
We can only observe and feel sorry for everyone and for ourselves. Feeling sorry is worse than hoping. Or probably the same. We either hope for something better or continue to feel sorry. Just an example of our vulnerability and helplessness.
(Local Perspectives)
I agree, Jaiyant, even by feeling sorry or helpless or hoping, we end up putting ourselves again on top of priority lists.
They are trapped in their world and we in ours...but will there never be an interaction? or a conflict?
They are trapped in their world and we in ours...but will there never be an interaction? or a conflict?
(Local Perspectives)
Only a one in a million will bring about a noticeable change but feeling sorry isn’t any sort of a remedy either. What we can do is to make sure that everyone who works for us is not tamed as a slave but is seen as an important component of our daily verve. I have many people who work for me in my orchards and I make sure that each one of them is happy in their routine. I facilitate them and give them an environment which makes them work happily for me. There are others ofcourse who do not spend that generously for their workers but then over a period of time, my way of work starts influencing them. You make a change and the world will follow you and that is how generosity spreads. I also miss out on a few counts but then whatever I do keeps me happy at heart.
(Local Perspectives)
I agree with you, Atul. We must become the change to bring a change...
Kudos to your effort and small ways you touch a chord...I am sure it makes a huge difference...
I really hope city people can spare some time to start someting like micro-finance schemes or some financial back-ups for daily wage earners...maybe some NGOs are working...but where I live I am warned because I might ’pamper’ and ’spoil’ these people...
Kudos to your effort and small ways you touch a chord...I am sure it makes a huge difference...
I really hope city people can spare some time to start someting like micro-finance schemes or some financial back-ups for daily wage earners...maybe some NGOs are working...but where I live I am warned because I might ’pamper’ and ’spoil’ these people...
(Local Perspectives)
Hey Atul, will you employ me in your orchards? I like apples.. Well, on a more serious note, we, as the luckier percentage of the society must really do something for the larger part of the society, even if it is a selfish act to boost our egos. If that selfish act benefits someone, it is noble. Or isn’t it?
(Local Perspectives)
The article touched a chord in the heart. Does any one write about na soldier who guards our frontiers so that we can sleep safely or fight and make our lives miserable? very b eautiful piece. Congratulations dear.
(Local Perspectives)
Ramesh,
Yes, we should see it in more global context...I salute all soldiers who are away from their families on a call of a duty for their nations...
I think only people whom we pay generously are doctors and mobile networks! Rest all we take for granted...
Thank you...
Yes, we should see it in more global context...I salute all soldiers who are away from their families on a call of a duty for their nations...
I think only people whom we pay generously are doctors and mobile networks! Rest all we take for granted...
Thank you...
(Local Perspectives)
Yes Ramesh, even a soldier’s services are taken for granted. Just an empty ’oh how sad!’ is more cruel than not feeling anything at all. And most of us fall under either of these two groups. Like I say always, nobody gives a damn about anybody else. Wonder whatever happened to good old altruism.
(Local Perspectives)
Madhuri, I think it is deeply ingrained in the society’s psyche to ignore and take for granted, the services of wage workers and helps. Sadly, even human status isn’t given to many domestic helps. This reminds me of the stories where maids are kept as domestic slaves by many women themselves..
(Local Perspectives)
Yes, Jaiyant,I think it also an human urge to dominate and most people enjoy being masters to their helps and as Grace said, we just take whole life of our helps for granted, as though we own them...
Slavery still very much exists behind close doors in every home. And since women are often dominated by men and elders, they enjoy dominating on maids and servants themselves!
Also, Jaiyant, I feel as long as a majority remains poor and exploited, there will be no peace anywhere. These people are so poor and ill-treated that they become live fire-arms and mobs given a slightest chance to earn more and express their vengence...
I may be wrong but this is the primary reason why terrorists, fanatics and anti-socials are never short of human resource who are willing to blow themselves up for the future of their family and land.
They have no choice but to have a faith on leaders who say things will change for better...
We have to pay huge price for all oppression and poverty...
Slavery still very much exists behind close doors in every home. And since women are often dominated by men and elders, they enjoy dominating on maids and servants themselves!
Also, Jaiyant, I feel as long as a majority remains poor and exploited, there will be no peace anywhere. These people are so poor and ill-treated that they become live fire-arms and mobs given a slightest chance to earn more and express their vengence...
I may be wrong but this is the primary reason why terrorists, fanatics and anti-socials are never short of human resource who are willing to blow themselves up for the future of their family and land.
They have no choice but to have a faith on leaders who say things will change for better...
We have to pay huge price for all oppression and poverty...
(Local Perspectives)
You know Madhuri.. You hit the right button when you spoke about terrorism and poverty. Most of these ’terrorists’ are youths that are unemployed, who have trouble finding food to eat and even a place to sleep. Religion enters like a snake in the midst of poverty and causes more trouble. The day we get rid of poverty and religion can we all succeed as a peaceful society without any discrimination..
(Local Perspectives)
Not only religious but politicians too love poverty among masses...just like society needs insane, our leaders need poor gullible masses...
Inspite of globalisation, technological progress and economic reforms the condition of the people on lowest rung remains same, rather has become worse...
Only education can help us in eradicating poverty and oppression but no one has any political will to exploit this tool of education...
Inspite of globalisation, technological progress and economic reforms the condition of the people on lowest rung remains same, rather has become worse...
Only education can help us in eradicating poverty and oppression but no one has any political will to exploit this tool of education...
(Local Perspectives)
It is like a vicious circle you know. Everyone gets oppressed (to some degree) by someone who is one better on the social/material ladder. In turn this gets passed on to the one who is least privileged of all.
And as far as the question ”Does it Matter?” is concerned, well, it should not. Humans are basically selfish. Any arguments to the contrary are sheer hypocrisy.
And as far as the question ”Does it Matter?” is concerned, well, it should not. Humans are basically selfish. Any arguments to the contrary are sheer hypocrisy.
(Local Perspectives)
Exactly.. Humans are selfish.. And selfishness is necessary for our survival as a race and species. When these great noble and honest loyal buggers talk about Him and selflessness, they are making fools of themselves.. They say that because they are selfish and crave for attention!
(Local Perspectives)
Gagandeep,
Thanks for your reading and commenting. Yes, human are selfish, others- especially on the lower rung of the social/material ladder do not really matter.
Sometimes we are not only selfish but cruel too when we oppress others because we too are oppressed by the system...the oppression is no longer making us sensitive souls but its making us more insensitive and selfish...right, it is a vicious circle...
Thanks for your reading and commenting. Yes, human are selfish, others- especially on the lower rung of the social/material ladder do not really matter.
Sometimes we are not only selfish but cruel too when we oppress others because we too are oppressed by the system...the oppression is no longer making us sensitive souls but its making us more insensitive and selfish...right, it is a vicious circle...
(Local Perspectives)
Not only religious but politicians too love poverty among masses...just like society needs insane, our leaders need poor gullible masses...
Inspite of globalisation, technological progress and economic reforms the condition of the people on lowest rung remains same, rather has become worse...
Only good education can help us in eradicating poverty and oppression but no one has any political will to exploit this tool of education and implement basic right to education for all, which is a part of our Constitution.
Inspite of globalisation, technological progress and economic reforms the condition of the people on lowest rung remains same, rather has become worse...
Only good education can help us in eradicating poverty and oppression but no one has any political will to exploit this tool of education and implement basic right to education for all, which is a part of our Constitution.
(Local Perspectives)
My name? Why? Its all there on the mandatory registration cards with the housing complex security.
So does it matter? It depends. If you look at it in one way it does because that confirms your identity. On the other hand it does not for people like me because I give a damn.
So does it matter? It depends. If you look at it in one way it does because that confirms your identity. On the other hand it does not for people like me because I give a damn.
(Local Perspectives)
The title of your article makes me think again. ”Does it matter?” I think it does. Except that we, more than not, do not consciously regard it as something that matters. Details about our support services people do matter to us, in the long run - but more perfunctorily rather than ethically.
(Global Perspectives)
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Oh my oh my, Madhuri, you do have the knack for saying some of the most important things in the simplest of ways.
And you hit universal topics like you were just bringing your kid to school.
The reality you write here is something that is also very familiar in the Philippines.
Yeah, we almost always ignore some things that seem to be negligible, and yet reality hits us that it isn’t that dispensable after all.
Your writings stare us in the face. That’s the bottomline.
But I meet these people everyday in my life...their reality is stark, simple and very basic...I just felt we don’t notice their work but are certainly quick to notice their lapses!