Broken-Hearts, Dream-Filled eyes

re:#41 by nasah
Thanx for your post.
Though i agree that the challenge is huge, i am glad there are some people in India who still dream of eradicating poverty from India:
http://www.abdulkalam.com

Excerpts from APJ Abdul Kalam`s (India`s president) speech:

``First Vision : India`s freedom

India laid the seeding of Independence in 1857. Freedom Movement was the first vision for the nation. It took 90 years to get the freedom using multiple methodologies to vacate foreign powers. The vision generated leaders across the political spectrum, many scientific leaders , Industrial leaders, literacy giants, great economists and several accomplished persons. Above all a large number of men, and youth rose as one for the freedom movement

Second Vision - Developed Country

After 50 years of progress, the aspirations are mounting that India should become a developed country. This is the second vision for the nation. How we can prepare ourselves to this challenge? To become a developed India , the essential needs are

(a) India has to be economically and commercially powerful, at least to be one of the four top nations in terms of size of the economy. Our target should be a GDP growth of 9% annually and that the people below poverty line to be reduced to 10 %.

(b) near self-reliance in defence needs of weapon, equipment with no umbilical attached to any outside world.

c). India should have a right place in world forums. Technology Vision 2020 is a pathway to realise this cherished mission.

Technology Vision 2020

The Technology Vision 2020 consisted of 17 technology packages in the core sectors such as agriculture and food, healthcare, infrastructure and strategic industries.The Task Teams with nearly 500 experts of our country worked for two years, deliberated national status of various branches of national development and generated 35 documents detailing the steps to be taken for creating wealth for the nation and the well being of our people. ``Technology`` is the most vital key for achieving the goals.The vision deals with agro food processing, food and agriculture , health-care, electric power, civil aviation, waterways , engineering industries , life sciences and bio-technology, strategic industries and materials and processing. There is a tremendous link between each technology package. For example higher food production and productivity which is essential, can be achieved by incorporating technological excellence in scientific inputs for cultivation, harvesting, storage as well as transportation, distribution, marketing, preservation of seeds, improved pesticides, etc

We have identified five areas where India has a core competence for an integrated action :

Agriculture and food processing - we have to put a target of 360 million tons of food and agriculture and agro food processing would bring prosperity to rural people and speed up the economic growth.

Reliable and quality electric power for all parts of the country.

Education and Healthcare - we have seen, based on the experience education and healthcare are inter related. For example, Kerala with education and better healthcare can bring down the population growth and provide improvements in quality of life of the people.

Similarly, in Tamil Nadu also we have seen the downward growth of population resulting from a unique system of ``mid-day meal`` coupled with education. Studies about Andhra Pradesh also have different facets. These experiences, we feel should be taken and spread in big states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Beginning of agricultural prosperity through better yields in these States will help this process.

Information Technology - This is one of our core competence. We believe this area can be used to promote education in remote areas and also to create national wealth.

Strategic sectors - This area fortunately , witnessed the growth in nuclear technology, space technology and defence technology. Other areas like Advanced Sensors and Materials would need a push. The nation has a plan towards 70% near self-reliance in a decade in defence equipment.

These five areas are closely inter-related and lead to national, food and ecnonomic security. A strong partnership among the R&D, academy, industry and the community as a whole with the Government departments will be essential to accomplish the vision...``.

As the saying goes, everything starts with a dream. With right kind of people and leadership, this dream can become a reality.

Sridhar

dear sridhar - we in India -- or what to talk of India --we all over Asia and Africa --

whether we are socialist, communists, liberal, conservative, religious moderates or religious fanatics, educated moderates or educated fanatics -- we all have decided sometime back in the 70`s -- that we cannot eradicate poverty and human degradation of 70% of our masses any time soon in the future --

that it is chasing a will o the wisp -- that it is not even a rainbow now -- that it is an impossible dream -- that it is a monumentally expensive unachievable mirage -- that it simply cannot be done...

and that in all Asian countries -- particularly in democratic India -- we HAVE to abandon this unrealistic dream of poverty eradication of the masses --

we are so pathetic...

that we cannot squander our resources on the POOR -- that if we have to ` modernize` -- then almost all of the country resources will have to be used/spent on an educated minority of elitist hi-tech middle class and upper middle class men and women who will RULE the Roost -- in every sphere of country`s life

that we will have to leave behind the majority of poor in their holes and move on in the IT age of globalization –

that only a minority of elitist that`s all we can afford -- while the 70% of the our masses will have to rot the same way they have been rotting in the rat holes of poverty and pestilence for centuries --

even those goddamn communists and socialists idealists have given up on the subcontinental masses --

a sad commentary on the state of affairs in our country and on our `old culture` ... we all brag about so profusely and cut down each other -- on Chowk -- for some rotten real estate in that poor-- rotten to the core -- now nuclearized subcontinent -- of starving illiterate unsheltered masses....

we ARE pathetic

re: poverty in the subcontinent
This is a great article.
Poverty in India is so visible. When i was in India, i was indifferent to it. It was as if my senses were all benumbed to the fact that there were people who were so poor, that they could not afford to eat one square meal a day.
I remember the day when i saw one poor beggar lying on the ground and dying. He was right in front of the M.S Office of Safdarjung Hospital. And no one bothered to even look at him. People were walking past him as if nothing happened. I was doing a rotation in Pediatric Cardiology and i was with this pretty Punjabi girl, who was doing the same rotation. I remember that we went into M.S office and warned the ``powers be`` that if something was not done about that dying man, the matter would go to the press (the Punjabi girl had some connections!). The matter was speedily resolved. That is to say, the man was removed from that place. What happened to the man? I do not know.
That is what i mean by ``my senses were benumbed``.
Most of us in India behave like poverty does not exist. When some of us come to foreign shores, we forget about poverty. It stares at our face everytime we return for vacation.
I read the news of a poor mother in Tamil Nadu killing her 4th (or 5th?) girl baby at birth as she could not afford to bring this baby up. Female infanticide is a curse on Indian society. There is a great organisation called ``Udhavum Karangal`` (tamil words that mean ``helping hands``) that picks up discarded babies literally from trash and give them a home. I send money to such organisations. But the task is so gigantic that nothing short of a people`s movement will help. In India, people should change their attitudes towards poor and help them whereever they see poverty. In this, much can be learnt from Christians and their philanthropy.
I agree that education for the deprived section is something that NGOs and government should work for. But such education should be skill-oriented, so that the poor can rightaway start earning thr` the newly acquired skills.
Are the people in chowk aware of any good NGOs?

I thank Mr Madani for his kind comments about me. I try to be good but i am not always successful. The demons in me sometimes get the better of me!
Sridhar

re: ``a fistful of rice``
http://www.sulekha.com/redirectnh.asp?cid=312959
Sridhar

hamid_81
You have depicted a horrible truth about the subcontinent`s inhuman treatment of the weakest members of the society, poor and helpless children. The article oozes with feelings for its subjects and reminded me of Rohinton Mistry`s `A Fine Balance` about the plight of beggars in Bombay.

Ahmad Madani:
As usual you have made some very astute observations. The demographic bomb is ticking, especially in Pakistan. Family planning has begun to show results in India, at least in some provinces like Kerala and Tamil Nadu where they have achieved the same birth rates as developed countries, so the other states have a model they can emulate. Bangladesh has made astonishing progress in the last decade or so and its population growth has come down almost to the same level as that of India. But Pakistan has been sadly lagging in this area, despite some signs of a little progress in recent years.
And you are ABSOLUTELY right about the water problem. If the countries of the subcontinent do not cooperate and coordinate some long term planning on a war-footing to solve this urgent issue, they will have a real war between them and it will be on a real issue of quenching dry throats and not of the dumb issue of whether muslim kashmiris` desire to leave the kafir-land is legitimate or not. India wants to be counted as a world power and have a seat on the security council but it cannot provide drinking water to even the posh colonies of its capital who have to be sent water tankers to supply water to its elites.
...however, the problem highlighted by hamid mahmood is not going to go away even after the population stabilises, unless we south asians change our attitudes to our most precious assets, our children and our future.

jay:
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is interested in finding out why the suicide rate among keralites, especially its youth, is so much higher than in the rest of India. Is it because of high unemployment, high migration to Gulf countries, or some other reasons? I certainly hope it is not because of higher literacry rate.

Shukriya nasah! I like the term ``ancient barbarians``. Actually I hate the term ``culture`` when it is used in regards to pakistani culture. We have a tendency to hide all our faults behind the term ``culture``.
Hamid

more poignant than Salam Bombay -- hamid miaN --

we subcontinental -- in fact -- we from third world countries -- are child abusers par excellence -- it`s in our gennes -- for us it is the norm -- does not bother us one bit -- we have 7 year olds working as house servants in millions of households -- all over India and Pakistan -- besides swarms of these kids begging in the streets.

we employ 7 years olds as house servants and don`t even bat our eyes -- CHILD LABOR and EXPLOITATION of CHILDREN -- are the curse of our so called civilized ancient culture --
some culture -- and some ancient -- more like ancient barbarians....

great piece very well put --

Hamid Mhmood....... Very good article. It made me think about problems. For years after thinking I arrive at same solution. That is control population. As I said about our neighbourhood big country 2.3% landmass with 17% world population, 30 million births how this can go on and how far. Same way with pakistan. Our land ratio to people is more but factors taken into account. Like B.Stan is largest area but totally uselss land except for its gas and minerals. B.Stan, major part of sindh desert on both sides( common border with india ) so actually useful land ratio is smaller even for pakistan though much bigger than India.
In 1947 we had 2700 Cu. Meter per head water, now it has come down to 600Cu.M. ( I am not tech person, but read in news paper). By all calculations we will be atleast 300 or 350 take any figure for discussion. so that water comes down to some 300 Cu. M. Most modern living needs atleast 1100 cuM they say.
Presently 96% of water is used for agriculture. Major 65 % population is under 25 years so very high fertility. Its honestly problem with muslim countries as per united nations chart it shows areas in red having people increse rates in % from 3 to 4%. ( Red for danger ecologically?) Saudi arabia rate is near 4%, you can realiaze why saudi prosperity and income has become 25% compared to in 70s. Un chart gives little thumb rule to see in how many years population will double. You take 72 and divide that by growth rate. So in case of ours 72/3=24 years. So in 2026 we will have 300 millions. This huge people need food fiber and water. Only south is useful land. Get from my common sense then war becomes inevitable. If you read newspaper General says nothing to compromise. All this talk is nonsense from bothside. Peripherial issues can be settled by talk but major indo pak issues if (assuming) present line ( weather direct mily control or puppet appointed PM by army) is continued by both sides can only be settled by steel and blood. Water will be thing on which indopak wars will start.
Now people can move mountains and change watercourses. And people who get advantage do not care for any other. Water is too precious to be given. Its not india pakistan. Its indians state govts fighting other state for water rights. OVER YEARS INDIANS WILL DIVERT WATER OF SUBRIVERS OF SINDHU AND LETTER WILL START WORKING ON SINDHU ITSELF. INDIANS DO NOT CARE ITS MUTUAL.If punjabis do not care for sindh wrong to accept indians keeping promises.
Why sindh is mentally at war with Punjab only due to water. Its population of Punjab and sindh need water. Karachi and sindh eternally thirsty. Its shear numbers. I have heard greedy engineers, contractors getting happy over thoughts of contracts of Kalabaugh, thal canal( most nonsindhis do not understand fear and anguish in interior sindh also about this canal, just as Bengali sentiments were ignored by army rules, army is playing with fire, sindhis say they took our karachi, hyderbad,sukkar now they are taking even bit of water) etc. But there is no that much water left. Now ravi is sewer as india diverted all water. Little comes via bias soon it will be history. I travell in connection with selling medicines in interior sindh. Any body can go south of Kotri Barrage, see what is Sindhu or indus called. Its dirty nonflowing water. Water did not disappear just used by sindhis, Punjabis. Just shear number , they have to survive.
Presently we are marginal in wheat, no way we can produce enough for 300 million in 24 years is the point.
Unfortunately If all military dictectors from A to Z ( Ayub to zia to present sofisticated verson) it only one child family dictetorship people would have put gold statues as it would be so good. Say 60 million population. One can almost jump. I remember Karachi in 60s so nice. I am religious enough to know the book. Yes it says more you produce more happy will be. But all books had time. Ad all books regarding religion just fade and become relic of old gone by golden(assuming) times.And time is not merciful to obstinates it just corrodes foundation from base. No advanced country dis honors book but just keep them in place in home and in librabries and do as they feel good.
As writer said present situation is bad but with population at 300 milion will be worse.
Many porblems will solve automatically and all conflits will be cooler with lesser population.
And without Family planning no allah or Ishvar or Buddha can do nothing. Rich nations will start getting helping fatigue and poor overpopulated contries will literally sink by drawned in their overpopulations. One of bad things I feel sad for those wild beautiful gods creatures will be squeezed and vanished. I never go to ZOO , when I look at poor caged animals wonder why we torture them keeping confined, I can not bear looking at lion bored hurting themselves. If India and pakistan both start really reducing population,( one child policy and 25 and 30 marriage age limit really reduces population. I feel family planning inventions can be more dramatic than invention of fire now to make life happy. I do not buy idea of gods gift theroy about children). Let us hope this tide of numbers will compell people for preventive measyures.If any pakistani wants to have united Pakistan then family planning can keep it united. Extreme large number of people can lead to farticide, revolutuions( all revolutions are bogus and cruel in long term, not much changes). violence, tension in provinces. I think at 350 to 400 million people centrfugal forces from minority provinces will be too great and even pulling gravity of common religion and idea of Muslim ummah and army rule will not be able to overcome greater ethinic disintegrating forces leading to fragmenting picture.
If population is not controled India and pakistan will never become happy places for average family.

harimau #32:


And how exactly do you propose to ``teach fishing`` to these people? Or is that also somebody else`s job?


...by donating to local charities and ngos that impart education...and in that sense, yes...it is the job of `somebody else`...ain`t it?

...t

response #32
That saying is from christian - new testament. Jesus of nazareth advices this deciples towards poor. He wants to help poor by selfhelp and teaching.
If i am correct saying is some thing like `` do not pity the poor but help them and teach to catch fish so they can help themselves. You can give hungry man a fish and he will be fed that day, teach him to catch fish he will be fed for ever``.

I personally give alms some times to poor people. I do not give money to Fakirs and pirs etc, they have sexual carnal things in minds and afraid of them for children.(most are just ok, parasites) I know its wrong as it encourages problem. As it does not go to source of problem.I will give real experience. In 80s arab guests at our hotel some times use to give alms to poor when they ventured outside for walk. Some times out of kindness they will take bills of 4oo rs and take our hotel boy and to to street corner and just give i rs to each who took. Then when people noted it poor middle class people will walk and tale and walk away. This started creating problems and we brought to notice of these kind hearted people the mess created. They agreed and started giving money to proper NGo,s.

Ref ahmedmadani #21

[Harimao, Ram Saxena, Jay are people with hatred they never said i wrote good as for them how a person from karachi be good only good from India.]

Dear Mr. Madani,

I don`t think I have ever commented one way or another about your writings though I have always enjoyed them tremendously.

I did go to your resume as you suggested and I get the feeling that you are a normal man-in-the-street not different from someone in Bombay, Delhi, or for that matter, Beijing, New York or Moscow. Your straightforward manner and concerns about your family have affected me deeply. I have rated you 5 starts.

PS. I attempted to post this a couple of days back but there was something wrong with Chowk`s buttons.

Ref temporal #15

[when traveling/visiting the sub continent i never offer money to any beggar or alms for that matter...partially based on selfish motives (give to one and a hundred come out of woodworks to gherao you) and partly based on other motives...what was that chinese saying?...feeding fish to hungry will ward off hunger for a day, teaching them to fish will ward off hunger for ever?....]

I always do. It is a simple accident of birth that I was born into a family that could afford a home and three square meals a day. I could easily have been born to a poor beggar, or worse, sink into penury despite my education, job, etc.

And how exactly do you propose to ``teach fishing`` to these people? Or is that also somebody else`s job?

#27 by aaria
Thank You aaria! I am happy to see that my writing is having an effect on my readers.
I don`t think that population control is the only solution to this problem. I remmeber watching a movie; Omar Mukhtar :Lion of the Desert. I was very young at that time. But I still remmember the part in which Anthony Quinn sits for the first time to have a dialouge with the commanding forces and says that one the things that they require is education for their chidlren. I think it is all about educating people. Not making them speak English in english mediun schools, but educating them enough, so they can make proper choices. And it is not hard to do this. All you need is a little effort. But oh! I just forgot. Pakistan is not a free country. It is a country full of filthy criminals. Like the shariffs, bhuttos and the Baloch sardars! How can these people even think of having THEIR people be more educated than them?!!! They are the ones who are involved in child-trade with the Arabs! I remmember MR. Khar came to power and made use of almost all the girls in his village. He fought the next election said sorry to his people in a speech in his village, and again won! Why? Because his people live under his rule! Even if they know what the right choice is they cannot make it because they will have to pay for it through their life. Here is my soultion: Get rid of Feudalism and Fedual Lords. I donot need any Pir`s, Zamindar`s or Khan`s in my Pakistan. But I do want the normal children, the normal man and the simple farmers to live happily under no pressure and have the right to make the correct choices in life. Without these criminals, Pakistan would be MUCH MUCH better place!

Ahmadmadani,

I come from kerala in india where the population growth is less than 1.8 I guess, where the primary schools are closing due to lack of students. The suicide rate is high, comparable to japan, life expectancy is more than that in the US, around that of swedan. Muslims in general have more children, but it is far less than that in pakistan. They have found that population growth is linked to education, where the parents feel responsibility to bring up the children, and have knowledge and intelectual ability to control birth.
In pakistan, it is going the opposite way, more beggers in the streets, implying that the children are fending for themselves, parents have no responsibility. The bombs and jihadic killings and lack of medical facilities increse uncertaintity. There is a theory of demography. Initially the population expoldes as the death trate decreases rapidly due to improved medical facilities, especially due to reduction in deaths due to contageous deceases. This increases life expectancy and population growth. Then comes the next slower pace when the birth rate decilenes.

Since pakistan is on a path of decline, one can expect the population to stabilise shortly, due to increasing death rates. Polluted water in karachi is a great help, so are jihadists, at least 50 have been knocked off yestaerday. A combination of jihadic activities and decling public helath and spread of contageous dceases could help pakistan. Have some hope. You will find that this approach is more economical and pakistan can esily afford.

Hamid,

Very well written. I had tears in my eyes while reading this which proves that it was good writing. Writing after all is an art form used to persuade or pursue. A job well done.

I know those children in the alleys of Liberty and in the gallis off of GT Road. I know the Pathan and Punjabi children with those eyes. You wil never forget those eyes.

Thanks for reminding us to remain humble. And to remember the less fortunate.

Thank You.

hamid,
I appreciate your views about family planning.delveloped countries have over come it.But we lack behind,i think it``s illiterace.people are so naive they go on producing kids,even they havefamily history of deaf and dumb,crippled and mentelly retarded.i am associated with deaf and dumb school,i feel so sad for those kids.i know a such family having 7 kids of the same fate.Now who can teach them.they rarely understand the point.