Dear Friend,
Recently, I received a picture from a friend, which compelled me peer at it for quite a while. I then used the ‘picture manager’ to focus my attention on a tiny portion, then looked at half of the photograph, before getting back to the entire picture. I am sharing the results, since it tells a poignant tale. I want you to see it, the way it is placed below: and one picture at a time. Then scroll down, until the next one appears. Keep doing that until you reach the last one. I am in search of a suitable caption to create a story. I believe that hidden in these images there is a message for all of us. I suspect that there is something seriously wrong with our society, which needs to be corrected.
I seek your help.
Take a good look at this child. Focus your eyes on the lovely cheeks, and the smug look in his eyes, and scroll down…
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You now see a little more of the child. He is wrapped up in a makeshift ‘jhoola’ and seems to be suspended on some kind of a support . Let us see more…
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This picture reveals that there is a person with the child! Let us investigate. But before we see the whole picture, we must see an ’unrelated’ picture. Scroll down.
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Are you able to connect this picture with the previous pictures? If not, scroll below to see the entire picture.
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What if a brick falls out of the hand of the mother? And indeed, if the bricks are not baked well, the sand from its surface may come down like powder and enter the eyes of the infant. Finally, I calculated the total weight being carried by this hapless worker. If she picks up seven bricks, and add to it the weight of the child, it is quite a load. And ever so often, the bricks are to be carried to the first floor…
We are told that ‘India is shining’ we are a global economic power, and our GDP is growing at a fancy rate. Some of our rich men live in a kind of luxury which will put American billionaires to shame. Sixty eight years have elapsed since our independence and we have enacted some excellent laws for the well being of our ‘nursery’. Have a look below to see how our law makers have protected the life of the above child:
Pictorially, it is depicted as follows:
But, on ground the picture is as below:
I beseech you to suggest captions to the pictures of these two infants with their mothers engaged in the task of ‘nation building’ . These unfortunate children of a lesser God are being simultaneously acclimatized to grow up as physically tough and hardy and step into the shoes (or tattered slippers) of their mothers… so that we continue to have cheap labour in the decades to come!
Dear Gen,
My caption is:
“Cast away the EVIL EYE”
Hari
Dear Gen. Singh,
Thank you for haring your thoughts on the gross inequities we have perpetrated due to our reckless indulgences, both on ourselves and on our fellow creatures on this planet. The consequences of our thoughtlessness are being noticed around the world, and the nightmares will continue till we wake up.
As we begin to acknowledge the horrors of the paths we have chosen, from poverty for the majority to the bloated lives and indulgences for the isolated rich, we will realize we are all together, on this rather short journey called Life. It is somewhat ironic, perhaps reflections of innocence, that most of us seem to develop a conscience only after we have lived out most of our lives.
The subject of inequities, aka the Social (Societal) Determinants of Health, has received attention at both the global scale (i.e., WHO) and in “rich” countries, like the US. Here are links that show that people are beginning to wake up.
Social determinants of health
image
Social determinants of health
Zoltan Balogh
View on http://www.who.int
Preview by Yahoo
Poverty Rates by County, 2012 | Social Determinants of Health Slides | Atlas | NCHHSTP | CDC
image
Poverty Rates by County, 2012 | Social Determinants of …
CDC – NCHHSTP Atlas Resources
View on http://www.cdc.gov
Preview by Yahoo
Finally, to close on a positive note, here are some images from NASA, showing that the same technological advances that have laid waste to the Earth may guide us back to a sense of unity.
NASA Shows Off Spectacular New Blue Marble
image
NASA Shows Off Spectacular New Blue Marble
The Deep Space Climate Observatory snapped a new picture of the Earth from one million miles away.
View on http://www.climatecentral...
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In the spirit of Guftagu…
Be Well,
PK
PS: By way of introduction, you will find me (i.e., my remarks) at the end of the post about Nain Singh, by Joseph Thomas, a fellow Lawrencian.
India shining- the hidden truth!
KG
Nation Building for the rich of India…by the actual people of India
Bricks and people have the same basic material created by the creator..
So my caption would be-
“How earth has molded into different shapes…the only difference is the consciousness”
Thomas,
Viewed from another perspective, the increase in the aggregate life expectancy has not been as dramatic as your figures suggest. Life expectancy at birth shows an impressive rise, but that is because of the enormous reduction in child birth deaths and infant mortality. For those who survived beyond their childhood, life expectancy has improved by a less impressive factor.
My great-grand father lived to be 104 years: from 1843 to 1947. At least three other persons crossed the century mark. Also, the lives of these elders were healthy. They could draw water from the well and go to the fields for the call of the nature. Some of the elders whom I see are alive just because they are breathing. They are merely adding years to their lives; and not life to their years!
I think that is a subject which we will take up for a discussion on a subsequent day.
Your caption is apt…
Surjit
Captions for consideration
1. ‘Burden of Hope’ inspired by Tribhuwan.
2. ‘Umeed pe duniya kayam
Raj ji,
Thanks. Great to receive your message from across ‘seven seas’!
Is it not ironic, that even hope, which is the ultimate Messiah for the hapless and the helpless can become a ‘burden’?
Regards and best wishes,
Surjit
Dear sir
This depicts real lndia. Beautiful child growing up in the most unfavorable conditions. First instance, it is a lovely child who looks like a blooming flower, thrown in garbage…
SD Gupta
Gupta ji,
True, indeed. The real India has a very ugly face. A poet said,
‘Zindagi ko kareeb se dekho,
Iska chehra tumhe rula dega!’
I wish we could device a veil for the ‘real’ India!
Surjit
Sir
You could consider “The burden of Life”
Tribhuwan Singh
Indeed. And we make the poor carry that ‘burden’ …on our behalf!
Surjit
1. Poignant pictures- thought provoking.
2. My thoughts on ‘title options’:-
* Steel and sadness/suffering- A Bi-focal Vision.
* S & S- Our Split Personality/Reality.
3.This is the sad reality; but also a narrative of resilience and ‘contentment. My Grandson from Singapore spent a week me. Last evening I provoked his thinking by asking him his expectations from this visit and how far met? A relevant and perceptive observation, is germane to this post. He said ‘ I have seen an ironic and amazing contentment amongst the poor here which is missing in the highly competitive masses of Singapore’. For me your story validates that- but I am a maverick?
Dear General,
The young lad has made a very profound observation. Singapore is a unique city-state. They are obsessed with ‘progress’ and economy. Every one is chasing the mirage. In their hurry to reach the destination, they forget their ‘present’ They seem to be living in the future all the time.
In actual fact there is no goal. No objective. Journey is the destination!
Both the captions are new and imaginative. Thanks!
Whether you are a maverick or not is debateable. We will decide that separately.
Regards,
Surjit
Everytime I look at this picture, it tells me a different story and touches my heart deep within. Sometimes I wonder, why are things the way they are. Sometimes, I feel helpless….
Some of the captions which I could think of
1.On Job Training.
2.See! I Trust My Mother.
3. Incredible India or In Cradle India.
4.My Great country(bution).
5.A labourer in the making.
6.Ma Tujhe Salaam.
7.Labour Pain.
8.In debt(ed) for life.
9.KHatron Ke Khiladi.
10.I didn’t ask to be born.
11.Back(up) support.
Thanks.
I like the ones at serial 4 and 8.
‘bution’ is a very appropriate word. and debt(ed) is a very subtle expression!
Surjit
” Forgotten by The Govt. But not forsaken by” The Mother” (GOD)
Thanks.
I heard some one say, “God could not be everywhere…so He created the ‘mother’
Surjit
Mother and child
My love I bestow upon you
my child,
I look after your comforts
all my while
cause you alone are my
only child
The swing
So many kids go to the park and swing
all day with their moms
I cannot leave you for a moment
thus with me you swing along
Ah!
Only you now know alone
that I am there for you
all day all night to comfort you
So sleep and kick about
as you wish
mother and father
I am for you
Let me not drop
Let me not drop a brick
as it may hurt you,
thus I bend forwards
so as to protect you
You are my whole world
my child
I love only you
Let the whole world
Now let the whole world see
how jobs I do two
one pick up bricks
and
also look after you
India is shining
We can say can’t we
all days are so hot
in the heat we shine
don’t we
Yes India is shining
with hard work we do
population is a hobby
aren’t we all with it happy too?
MOTHER AND CHILD 1961
Is a hope so distant past
our population is also growing so fast
so we all dream at last
and
in dreams these memories will also get past
we will shine in many a heart,
if not at least two,
yours and mine
won’t it do?
The Broader Picture
As time ages
I age too
so are you getting older true
and
now at a distance you can stay
as I pass more time to buy more hay
Come one day
you will say
mom earned and made out of me
a Malala one day
my daughter and son
that day is not a long way
India is shining now all do say
Come to India
Canada and or USA
we too, in gardens of Paradise shall play
one day,
someday,
if not today…
but that day is my child
not too far away…
It’s on its way all say!
Sir,
You are AMAZING!!!
How did you survive in the army?!
Surjit
By your good wishes
GENERAL SAHEB
ARMY had no option
but to keep me
”TUSSI NA HONDE
TEY Colls
KITHE HONDA?
ISS bacche de TARAH
MAA DEY PEETH VICH
RONDA
KOAN MAINU
SIVAI MAA KAY SUNDA???
….TUSIEE KADDE KADDEE
AAAAA JANDEY HOE
JAAN VICH JAAN
VAPIS AAAAA JANDEE HAI
Hamesha veerji
sade vargey gareebaan noee
yaad rakhiyoe
GAREEBAN NOE YAAD RAKHOE
par
DUWAYEINN sirf MAA HEE DENTDEE HAI!!!!
TOOTEE PHOOTEE PUNJABLI
MUAAFF KARNA
JURNAILE SHHHHABHji
you needed a ”’caption”
I wanted to captivate
the whole essence of it
you are our master
we only
DRY sands
of a desert
IN SEARCH OF AN OASIS !
like this child is looking forward to
Sir SURJIT JI
Mahashallah
yaad rakhnaa
kadee kadee !
colls nu bheee
JAI MAA DI
Thanks…
Reminds me of what the devotees chant on the way to the temple!
Surjit
Tough Woman, Rugged Baby.
Hardened by Nature.
Fighting All Odds Together.
Come What May, We Shall Overcome.
Made For Each Other.
Adversity Breeds Resilience.
Challenge & Response.
Sheh-Maat.
Dear Sir,
Very apt! Subhan Allah!
Each one of the above captions is most appropriate…and new!
Surjit
1. Child: “It is the same situation at the bottom of the Pyramid in Bharat since ages” .
2. “Need a third Eye like by sensitizing all our senses to realize the Truth, it is feasible”.
Satish,
There is an old saying:
“The more things change, the more they remain the same!”
Surjit
Sadly Uncle, this is the reality in our country. We see it at every step and phase. For me, it would aptly be seen as “A Mother’s Cry”… Or even “A Mother’s Woes” It is the woman who carries most or all responsibilities on her shoulder and it is taken for granted that it is the woman who should be raising the children. It is so clear in this picture that the woman here has to work hard not only for her livelihood but even has to look after her child side by side and also ensure that she is able to fend for themselves. The situation is tragic and heart-wrenching. But this is how it is. The ugly, ground reality.
Rashmi,
Being a mother yourself, you can feel the pain much better.
As an elder, who has seen several children grow, I know how difficult it is to bring up infants.
Surjit
the unfortunate part of our behaviour is that there is conflict in our speech and action, which is the root cause of our misgovernance, not following the moral principals as politicians, preachers and teachers are found sailing in the same boat. Non implementation of Maternity Act 1961 is an offshoot of this attitude and still we say that India is shining on.
Heading must be “Tongue and Hand in Conflict”
Dear Er Fazili,
Thanks. In Urdu, they say, ‘pet ki khatir kya kya karna padta hai!
Surjit
Indeed.
Enacting a law is easy. Translating it into action is a different story!
And this is true of ‘law and order’ Our laws are all perfect, yet on ground, we have anarchy ever so often!
Surjit
I sent you my Vision
The eye wasn’t there then
My poem has been lost
in the sands of invisible time
I post it here again
Dearest General Surjit,
Hope you will appropriately
Caption each
Mother and Child
My love I bestow upon you
my child,
I look after your comforts
all my while
cause you alone are my
only child
The swing
So many kids go to the park and swing
all day with their moms
I cannot leave you for a moment
thus with me you swing along
Ah!
Only you now know alone
that I am there for you
all day all night to comfort you
So sleep and kick about
as you wish
mother and father
I am for you
Let me not drop
Let me not drop a brick
as it may hurt you,
thus I bend forwards
so as to protect you
You are my whole world
my child
I love only you
Let the whole world
Now let the whole world see
how jobs I do two
one pick up bricks
and
also look after you
India is shining
We can say
can’t we
all days are so hot
in the heat we
still shine
don’t we
Yes India
of course
is shining
with hard work we do
population is a simple hobby
aren’t we all with it
happy too?
MOTHER AND CHILD 1961 …….LIKE MATERNITY
Is a hope so distant past
our population
is also growing so
speedily fast
so we all dream at last
and
in dreams these memories will also get past
we will shine in many a heart,
if not at least two,
yours and mine
won’t it do?
The Broader Picture
As time ages
I age too
so are you getting older true
and
now at a distance you can stay
as I pass more time to buy more hay
Come one day
you will say
mom earned and made out of me
a Malala one day
my daughter and son
that day is not a long way
India is shining now all do say
Come to India,
China, Canada,
UK and or USA
we too,
in gardens of Paradise
shall play
one day,
someday,
if not today…
but that day
My Child(ren)
is not too far away…
It’s on its way all say!
Colls
Canada
Dear Sergeant Major,
Contained in your poem, there are at least ten captions!
So I need to thank you several times!
May the Lord give you good health so that I can keep getting your encouragement always, and every time.
Surjit
Give me O Master
an opportunity to bow in front of folks like thee
how many can count
on fingers beyond three
YOU
Surkhan
and perhaps
if YOU permit
now me
It seems I have
as usual Overstepped
you wanted only one
CAPTION
Toe sunoe
”KOI MERE AWAAJ TOE SUNOE”
Surjit, we can always think of the glass being half full or half empty. What we need is a benchmark, a starting point, to measure things. Like we need to define (0,0) before we draw a graph.
I do think that, for social indicators, 1947 is the appropriate starting point. When we look back, our life expectancy in 1947 was 28 years, poor people lived in mud huts, walked everywhere, could not even afford bus fare. In 1947 we lived in Tambaram. Poor people used to collect the small pieces of coal dropped from railway engines and used to collect drinking water from the overflow of steam engines. Fisherman used to alternately run and walk from the sea, 15 km away, to reach the market before the fish decayed. I can go on and on, but suffice it to say, we have come a long way.
From minus 10 to minus 7 is a 30 % improvement. And, if we start from minus 10, we can’t go to plus 10 overnight. We have to go through all the intermediate stages.
The glass half empty is to say that the woman and child are going through hell. The glass half full is to say that the woman is earning more than if she were to get a job in the Gulf.
Yes, India has progressed to the point that wages are higher than in the Gulf. We are now the world’s fastest growing large economy. One of our greatest achievements is the creation of a large middle class.
There is much to be proud of and much to be ashamed of.
Wages in India have vastly improved. The biggest problem facing poor people today is alcoholism among the menfolk. You can also throw in some gambling and quarreling. Read this perceptive article in the NY Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/world/asia/04iht-letter.html?fta=y
My caption is “The Problem of Working with Men in India.”