Common Man at Fault

Yesterday I was returning from Danapur to Patna after finishing Soft Skills session at ISM Patna, I met Raghu, a boy who was hardly ten years old. He was pulling a rickshaw. He works at Pulwari Sharif. His job is to move from gate to gate of each house and collect the rubbish, even sometimes he is forced to take away the filth from houses.

On inquiring, he proudly said that for this job, he is being paid rupees hundred per day. He is a bread earner for his family. He lost his father couple of year ago when he was too young.He said proudly that he used to go to school. Now he and his mother as a maid work hard to fulfill the amenities of the family which consists of Grandfather, Grandmother, two sisters of age eight and six. 

The job that he is performing is assigned to an outsourcing company by the Bihar Nagar Nigam to keep the city neat and clean. To chit chat for a while with Raghu, I asked him, if he would like to have a glass of Bournvita, he immediately asked for a cup of tea. He brought his rickshaw and had parked it by the side of the tea stall where we both sipped a hot cup of tea. 

I asked him if he had faced any problem while performing his everyday task, he smiled and said, "Didi, now I am well accustomed. A year ago, to pull the rickshaw and paddle the cycle, was very difficult as the handle used to slip away. But now, you can challenge me. I have become an expert."

Were you questioned by police anytime? Did they see you pulling the rickshaw? Have they stopped you anytime? 

His answer was spontaneous and said, "I always salute the policewala's whenever I see them. They are good. They never stopped me. Also, I follow the traffic rules, strictly.

He then thanked me for the cup of tea, with a bright smile, he said bye to me. He pulled his rickshaw and moved off to reach his destination. 

I also felt bad and was ashamed of myself because people like me every day meet children like Raghu. When they come to the home to collect the rubbish, we treat them as an employee instead of showing any empathy towards them. Common man blames the government for different evil practices, but when he is the part of such evil practice, hardly bothers to correct self. We, at least the educated members of the society, are aware of labor laws. Why should we not employee a child for his services?

At such a tender age, Raghu is pretty aware of his responsibilities. To work for the family and to look after their needs, he takes it up as his duty. Though the government has different policies, but in India, we have many such Raghu everywhere, in every city and village. For them, providing free school facilities, books and midday meal, can not suffice their need.

Just by knowing the norms will not help in eradicating the evil practices. What I believe is, people who are blessed like us, should share our blessings with at least children like Raghu. I am keenly waiting for my next meeting with Raghu, so that I can be of some help, to him and for his family.