“Half of Indians have no
toilet.”
These words of AmartyaSen, Nobel prize-winning academician and a remarkable economist of our time have made every Indian
see the pathetic plight of our so called great Indian economy. Dr. Sen in his
recent book, “An Uncertain Glory” co- authored by his long-time colleague Jean Drèze has once
again given a devastating critique of India’s economic boom. Almost all Indians
probably know the existing phenomenon of poverty in our so called fastest
growing economy. Yet none had the courage to boldly and bluntly address it.
It
was a moment of happiness as well as shame for me as I read the words of Dr.
Sen. Happy I was because this great economist had dared to bring out a shocking
reality while many of our leaders today refuse and hide the real Bharath under
the banner of “Shining India.” Extremely embarrassed I was to realize the
pathetic plight of many of my fellow citizens suffering in this land of riches
without having access even to an iota of resources from this land. Our citizens
are living their lives in extreme poverty without any basic facilities and that
has stirred Dr. Sen to question,
“Where more than 600 million Indians go to
defecate?”
Looking at the raw reality in a more realistic approach, Dr. Sen’s
words reveal the shameful situation of this glorious nation. "Half of all
Indians have no toilet. In Delhi when you build a new condominium there are
lots of planning requirements but none relating to the servants having toilets.
It's a combination of class, caste and gender discrimination. It's absolutely
shocking. Poor people have to use their ingenuity and for women that can mean
only being able to relieve themselves after dark with all the safety
issues that entails."
Being a citizen of this nation and having grown up
in a rural background I have eye-witnessed this sad reality. Huge amount of
money is spent in the name of development but seldom do we find a true development
that serves the poor and the marginalized sections of our nation. As Dr. Sen
has rightly pointed out, the suffering lots have no access to toilets and they
have to hide somewhere if they need to relieve themselves. Umpteen times I have
felt pity for those women, in my own village, who would wait till dusk to
relieve themselves. Dr. Sen has rightly hit the nail on the head. Yes, it is
the existing reality even in this twenty first century. Somehow or other we
those who are educated and have somehow got access to toilets and many
facilities at the cost of those 600 million forget to feel for those 600
million men and women in misery. It has taken these many years to bring this
existing evil to limelight and I doubt how many years would it take to eradicate
this evil and set it right. The defective development of this nation has harmed
the poor and the marginalized lots to a great extent.
As Dr. Sen points out,
“Fifty per cent of children are stunted, the vast majority due to
undernourishment. Fifty per cent of women have anaemia for the same reason. In
one survey, there was no evidence of any teaching activity in 50% of schools in
seven big northern states, which explains terrible academic underachievement.”
Looking at the present reality, it is very clear that the governments over the
years have failed to ensure an economy that would benefit all its citizens.
What is the use of a few flourishing at the cost of millions suffering in
misery? Can this shameful situation continue to exist? Certainly no! Enough of
misery for millions of our innocent lots! The nation today needs a change and
that should emerge not from those few who are enjoying all kinds of facilities
at the cost of the people but rather it should emerge from every citizen who
wants to see this nation a happy, prosperous and peaceful one for all to live
in.
Our
political leaders who are to help the people live in happiness, peace and
prosperity have failed to realize their duties as the leaders of this great
nation. They have given more importance to their own economic prosperity than
that of the nation. It is precisely because of their vested interest and
preplanned dirty party and family politics that they have betrayed the nation
and its citizens to the extreme of everyday shame. There is a desire in every
human to lead a dignified life at least with the minimum facilities possible.
Let the nation not forget that those 600 million are also humans and they
should enjoy at least the basic facilities. Even if they don’t enjoy a great
share in the economic growth of the nation, let them have a place at least to
relieve themselves!
We can no longer believe that the political leaders would
make that happen. If we really want a change, not those in power but those who
feel that the powerful should be overthrown must be stirred to make this nation
a suitable place for all its citizens to live in. In the words of Dr. Sen,
"Patience is a minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue." Be
stirred citizens! Enough of remaining silent even after seeing the shocking
reality! When 600 million innocent ones don’t have the basic facility of having
a toilet, how can we ever be proud of an economic boom and remain in
disguise?
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