Alms using ‘Arms’

I remember a sense of pride hitting my brother when he was just 16, he wouldn’t want to accept he “depends” or “relies” on dad or mom. He was quick to find a job, as soon as he completed his studies, having funded his post graduation fees from sources unknown to the family! I remember Eby telling a 100 time he doesn’t want to “depend” on his Dad, trying and supporting him back instead. It was an unsaid principal instilled in ‘guys’ I don’t know how or when..to not to extend your hand for anything but then exert them in hardwork and earn it yourself.

Agreed we are in an age wherein anyone and everyone speaks of  just loss and ‘good ole days’. But how much can people lose?. The other day I saw a policeman taking 5rs from a telewala!! Yesterday I saw a cop coming in and collecting money from a chinese restaurant. I thought parents brought up their brave boys to work as cops! I thought of all jobs it was ‘police’ who were the most ‘respected’. Common they were saluted ..for what???

I sit here and toil away 10 hours a day only to get back home and go about cooking and doing the vessels. There has been n number of lazy mornings when I wish I could at least take a leave..and actually when I was without job..more than anything else I found guilty as hell to ask money from Eby for my expenses!!! I know it’s a lill too much to comprehend but it is sheer fact. Not that I dint ask or never depended, but I really wished I dint have to. Im surprised how well groomed people donning a respectable job in the society could actually walk from shop to shop and collect money. Is it any different than begging??

And we have in our society a whole gang who claim themselves as ‘Transgenders’. To me they look like nothing but men wearing a woman’s cloth. “”edited after a few comments””It is not that I’m not sympathetic to transgenders, Im trying to point out at those who exploit ruthlessly this sympathy. I hope we are all not blind to the whole lot of  ‘healthy’ men clad in sarees extracting money from people! How crippled are you when compared to me in earning for your own food.??? They “function” in a similar way? They have money for that neat and beautiful dress, flowers, bangles and makeup! They come barge into your store and demand for “alms”..nothing less than 10Rs!!! We asked a retailer.why does he even bother to give them? He answered that if he objected theyd come in groups and attack. If he calls the police, hed have to give them atleast 500..so he preferred the transgenders to the cops!! Better part with 500 in 50 days than in 1 single day! And coming back to ‘real transgenders’, I have seen a quite a few of them employed quite normally in Mumbai. Like all of us regular workers, they get into the ladies compartment, share their work stories to friendly fellow travellers and head back home in the evening. In short Im sure that 8 out of 10 that I see on the streets today are just lazy men who are out for easy money!

I believe the custom of offering alms to transgenders started when they were not cast away from the society and not allowed to work for their living. They were some who believed their “”blessings”” are good!! Don’t tell me any of these hold true in the current society, then why on earth are we scared of them???

Now we have “saints”. Mostly Hindus I believe.. These so called “saints”, grow large beards, wear ‘religious attire’ and come with a God, goddess portraits asking for alms! The other day when I dint care to offer, I heard him curse me in a language only he knows! Please.. today when technology and reason rules or even if they don’t exist,..don’t tell me my God is going to be annoyed with me coz I saw his snap and refused to give him “alms”!!!

If these ‘healthy’ people play a part in building up a lousy society, we who toil and earn also play a part in “breeding” such parasites! If you are keen in helping an individual, try and visit an orphanage, check the credibility of the organization and provide them with a hearty meal or old clothes.. Throwing off a coin to get rid of nuisance is easy..but remember you are playing a part in throwing the Nation to the underdogs.