While reading newspaper today, two headings were there, which gave a knock in my mind. One was obvious because it had taken almost three full pages in newspaper - "Delhi High Court made Article 377 of Constitution almost negligent and provided LGBTs a protection from police and other moral brigade's harassment." I am not a die hard fan of this decision and maintain that humans should not cross their limits regarding interference with nature. But it is really good to see that people are now open to such discussions in their drawing rooms or on dining tables among masses, which were used to be a close room or bedroom discussions between couple only. This is definitely a sign of more mature society and increasing literacy rate, Department of Social Welfare and Bollywood movies has played a prominent role in this. Whether we should legalize same gender consensual sex or not, it is a topic of debate and I think that this debate has just started with the decision of Delhi High Court.
The second topic, which drew my attention today was a small piece of news, which had taken almost 2% of a single page in a small corner. The news was generated by this years' Economic Survey of India's report and it mentioned that-" 60% of Indian population still lives only on Rs. 20 per day." This was a shock to see and I was bound to think that could a society, in which 60% people are not able to get proper nutritious food daily, be able to stand up and debate over a hyper sensitive issue of LGBTs rights ???????? It is big question mark. I cannot be conclusive here but it seems to me that we have grown up towards some issues but still shunning the more sensitive issues like poverty and malnutrition.
Now we are discussing the issues of Gay Rights at our dining table but I think hardly we discuss poverty at the same stage. Rs. 20 is the amount, which has been spent by most of us in daily phone calls. India is growing and with almost 35% of tele penetration, we are boasting among the telecom biggies. But again --" 60% of Indian population still lives only on Rs. 20 per day." made me think that somewhere, something is wrong. 1/3 of India's population has BMI below 18.5 which is a sign of malnutrition. We still produce half of the underwight babies of world and anamea is such a common disease in our females as cough and cold.Where are we lagging - In resources......in government policies......in implementation stratigies .......or somewhere else ???????
It is a point to ponder.......government is still spending a big chunk of budget in poverty eradication programes and providing resources but still results are not expected........implementation strategies might be faulty but its onus is not all up to government. Somewhere we, as a citizen, are giving a cold shoulder to this topic.We are still not relating this issue with our coming generations but we are forgetting that the image of country will only empower and push our next generation to next stage.
We, as a developed society, must have to give our part to remove poverty. This does not mean that we should start charity but entrepreneurship with an eye to poverty eradication can do the trick. Youth should come with ideas of entrepreneurship, which can generate employment in long run.Government should also add society in his effort to reduce poverty.
Unless poverty and malnutrition becomes a pan Indian problem and we all put our collective efforts to remove it, we will not be able to put a honest debate over the issues like LGBTs right. These are very sensitive issues which requires a free state of mind and participation of bigger part of society.So...come, stand up and help others to stand for a next stage of society revolution.
