Muses of Murari

I hit trough point today. My energy was just draining away. With the sinking will, I also felt guilty. It was not guilt of doing wrong. But, guilt of punching (not literally) some one who is facing hardship and expressing a hint of resignation.

I saw people, including myself, bargain hard when we buy things from road side vendors. It is so common in India, we mettle our bargain prowess in buying things from the poor vendors. But, when we go to some swanky mall, or plush restaurant, we just throw away the money, not even considering the worthiness of products or services. The reasoning behind is well worth a study. But, that’s not the point. The point is, why we are so partial, when it comes to dealing with the poor? Why we are hitting the people who are at lowest strata of the society and living on the small margins. They already living in a different world. They are becoming poorer and poorer, by the day. For them, the whole point of existence is to find the next meal. We often spend carelessly, but, we contemplate a lot to give to the poor, not for charity, but for buying something from them.

I feel guilty. The single expression on the face of that fruit vendor, I saw today, thrown enough light. Provided, the quality of product or service is good, I don’t want to bargain for meagre amount, which will mean BIG to downtrodden. So I will not, hereafter.

Related posts:

• “Banker to the Poor” by Muhammed Yunus