Recently, my mother shared something she had seen at a local café. It was crowded but somehow she noticed a woman standing a few feet away with a hesitant look on her face.
After a few minutes she heard the lady order a parata and inquired after its price. The sales person stated the price to which she shook her head and asked the price of a pol pittu. Yet, it appeared that that too was a price she could not afford to pay, and finally settled for a vegetable rotti.
Upon hearing this incident, I paused for a moment and slowly examined the situation in Our present society. Only two months of the year have gone by and yet within that short span of time the cost of living has risen sharply. The price of almost every commodity, be it food, utilities or transport, has escalated, making it that much more difficult for all strata of people in society.
For that lady at the café, even the price of a parata or pol pittu was evidently too high. I’m not aware of her circumstances, but given the situation today, it may be that every cent of her savings or income must be spent carefully and sparingly. The desire to have a parata or pol pittu for dinner was to her, a luxury.
Sadly, this sharp rise in the cost of living only propels society to live lives centered solely on meeting their personal and family needs; and in today’s circumstances that seems justifiable. It would be a great challenge, a risk indeed, to share or help those around us or in worse circumstances than us. I imagine that if I were to even mention the word ‘share’ today to a few people, I would get scoffs, laughs or quizzical looks in return.
The truth is it’s easier said than done. But, when you look back at your life years later, wouldn’t you want to see that, despite all the hardships you faced, even in your darkest hour, you still reached out or helped your community, your neighbour in some way?
The great men and women we have heard or learnt about or even admire, were ordinary people like you and I. They were called ‘heroes’ because of their willingness and perseverance to uplift communities, help societies, fight injustice and aspire for equality despite the mountain of opposition, persecution or even the possibility of death. They shared their lives in some way for the benefit of others.
To share or help someone in need today is a challenge. It’s a hard choice, but it’s worth it. This column was written by a STITCH volunteer to learn more access the following website www.stitchmovement.com |
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