"What will we do? We will starve to death."
These are the words of Usha Gangadia, a hawker who sells Gujarati handicraft items on the streets of Connaught Place, New Delhi. She talks about how her income has been badly affected by the construction work going on in Connaught Place for the Commonwealth Games (CWG), 2010. Apart from not being able to meet her family's basic needs, she also had to withdraw her son from his regular school because of the sudden and huge drop in her income from Rs 1,500 to Rs 500 per day. Usha represents the plight of the common people in Delhi whose interests are beingignored just because Delhi has to meet international standards for the CWG.
In order to create a fantastic first impression on the other countries, the basic rights of the country's very own people are not being taken care of. According to me the country's well being is indicated by its socio-economic factors and not by the pomp and show.
People like Usha, are an integral part of our society but the hardships they face arenot even given a thought.
'Is it a good idea to host an International Event with a fake or artificial picture of your country?'
And what beyond that dazzling first impression?
Well, its difficult to accept the reality but deep inside we can realize what the truth is and what are we aiming at. Our country can be ready for the Commonwealth but it is not ready to address its own issues.
In my opinion, if the very foundation of our society, the people ,are not happy then no matter how hard we try our efforts will remain futile.
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2010/08/17/ArticleHtmls/For-this-woman-its-a-matter-of-survival-17082010002006.shtml?Mode=1
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