How this journey began - Part 2
continued from Part-1...
3 days passed...
I came home after work, and around 6pm, Ravinder Singh called that he will come around 8pm. He came exactly at 8pm and then shared what he saw there...
RS: So, Veerji, the trip was good and informative, but their condition is far worse than I expected.
Me: Why? Tell me about it.
RS: They are way below poverty line and the condition is live in is just like slums.
He mentioned the following points:
1. They don't have basic hygiene, like no personal bathroom or toilets. For such, they use municipality toilets and pay Re.1 per use.
2. They use timber as fuel instead of gas.
3. Most of their kids don’t go to school. The ones who go are not doing well.
4. School Dropout ratio is very high – could be poverty or peer-pressure
5. Basic amenities are lacking
Me: How much timber as fuel cost per month?
RS: About Rs.450-500/-
Me: Gas is cheaper as it comes around Rs.400/- and will be more efficient than wood, why don’t they use Gas?
RS: They don’t have accumulated money to go and register for the gas, and/or buy new gas cylinder. They just earn and spend the same day, so buy the wood in Kgs.
I was shocked and sad.
Me: For basic hygiene, they don’t have personal toilets or bathrooms?
RS: No, things are difficult, especially for women.
Me: Can we setup a meeting with other Singhs? Do you know if anyone else is interested?
RS: Yes, my roomies are supporting this effort and we shall plan out a meeting at Gurudwara?
Me: How about coming weekend?
RS: Sure, I will send out an invite.
continued...
3 days passed...
I came home after work, and around 6pm, Ravinder Singh called that he will come around 8pm. He came exactly at 8pm and then shared what he saw there...
RS: So, Veerji, the trip was good and informative, but their condition is far worse than I expected.
Me: Why? Tell me about it.
RS: They are way below poverty line and the condition is live in is just like slums.
He mentioned the following points:
1. They don't have basic hygiene, like no personal bathroom or toilets. For such, they use municipality toilets and pay Re.1 per use.
2. They use timber as fuel instead of gas.
3. Most of their kids don’t go to school. The ones who go are not doing well.
4. School Dropout ratio is very high – could be poverty or peer-pressure
5. Basic amenities are lacking
Me: How much timber as fuel cost per month?
RS: About Rs.450-500/-
Me: Gas is cheaper as it comes around Rs.400/- and will be more efficient than wood, why don’t they use Gas?
RS: They don’t have accumulated money to go and register for the gas, and/or buy new gas cylinder. They just earn and spend the same day, so buy the wood in Kgs.
I was shocked and sad.
Me: For basic hygiene, they don’t have personal toilets or bathrooms?
RS: No, things are difficult, especially for women.
Me: Can we setup a meeting with other Singhs? Do you know if anyone else is interested?
RS: Yes, my roomies are supporting this effort and we shall plan out a meeting at Gurudwara?
Me: How about coming weekend?
RS: Sure, I will send out an invite.
continued...
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