Our workmen and women!

 

I had an exposure to the life in a village recently, where men and women work to keep their lives ticking to meet the demands and needs at home. Most of  them work for long hours and get underpaid.  

In my conversation with a few during the visit, one thing captured my attention. They still a long way to move from existence at the border of poverty. They have huge loans to repay, they are indebted to landlords, their children do not have prospects of decent education; when they fall ill they have difficulties to find reliable help; the government's support through various schemes are available, but it is often difficult to claim them...

The India and Bharat as it is referred to sometimes, are realities that we have come to terms with. There is a minority who live in luxury India. Unfortunately they seem to get the attention of the government because of the income they generate and pay tax. The government would often help them to be successful and look the other way when they become wealthy by using fraudulent ways.  The people of Bharat are the less privileged majority who work as unskilled workers and live with their meagre income and stay in the bottom of the pyramid. 

I wonder how we respond to make a difference during this season of advent.

I wonder we reduce all the unnecessary expenditure during this festive season and save that to give it away for people in need!

We can have a dinner for two people for 200 rupees of 2000 rupees! The choice is ours. I know of many who save during this season by being austere make the lives of others colourful. I know of a person who is gathering contributions to help family who have arrears of a housing loan to be paid to the bank. I know of another family who buy clothes for children in two families! A third person takes care of the special meals of children offer clothes of children. He does it by saving money during the year and getting his friends to participate. 

Advent is about remembering a baby who was born in a manger who later brought the promise  of peace to human kind by reconciling us with God. 

The people of Bharat are in plenty and and are all around us!

The Christmas is also for them! Jesus of Nazareth became incarnate for them as well!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)