I missed my daily shuttle last Wednesday and took an auto to office. The auto stopped near Forum. A small boy not more than 4 years old asked for money. He was too tiny to beg. Dirt on his face and a drop of tears in his eyes. I couldn’t take my eyes off this little boy. He had a twinkle in his eyes which reflected his innocence. I simply nodded my head for a no when he asked for money. I was tempted to take a picture of him but I didn’t. Minutes after he left the place I realized that I had chocolates with me and I could have at least given that to him. I missed my bus on Thursday and Friday as well. I looked out for him thinking I could give him a bunch of chocolates and see him smile.
I left for home on Friday evening. I was traveling with my husband and two of his colleagues to Hosur in our car. The road was blocked. We were afraid there might be riots because of the Hogenakal issue. Many vehicles tried to take a different route. We were stuck in the service lane. There were around four kids on the main road hitting every lorry and taxi with a stick. I was not aware what exactly is happening. They started hitting vehicles, lorry drivers and cleaners. The drivers never returned the blows they received. These kids should be around 9 to 13 years of age. Their strategy soon unveiled before my eyes. These kids were backed up by adults. Even if one of the lorry drivers or cleaners would hit those kids back, the riots would begin. I took a small video of the scene from my mobile phone and until I crossed the place, I had my hands in my bag clutching my swiss knife.
I should appreciate the drivers who were patient and did not turn violent in that instance. They should have gone through a big emotional crisis and dishonor in that moment. Riots benefit corrupt politicians and individuals who try to take advantage of the riot to go against law. The purpose is a mask to these people, be it “Hogenakkal issue” or “Rajkumar died and we’ll hit Tamilians because a terrorist who kidnapped him years before is a tamilian” or “Cauveri issue”. None of the barriers that separate Karnataka and TamilNadu will vanish in the next few years. I only wish that few years later, the innocent little boy near Forum doesn’t take a stick.
P.S: My Video – not clear in my mobile phone camera but still if you look close u can see 2 kids climbing up the lorry.
Harish said
It is sad to hear about adults involving minors into violence.
Vijesh said
Another one here
Vishnu said
Noticed lot of instances where kids are begging and people with lot of injuries on their body and begging. As my office shifted to a place far from my place, noticed lot of such instances while coming in bus. Near BEML bus stop, saw school kids going to some govt school and no proper clothes, no proper hygiene.. saw one kid with injuries on him.. I was just staring at them and felt very bad but done nothing.. Very bad.. and don’t know what to do
Here your point is that and that kid becoming part of riots in future.. true.. that bad day may come..
Wanted to share one point here regarding Hogenakal issue.. just as this issue started, in Bangalore, Tamil channels are banned. In response to that, usual expectation is in TN, Kannada channels will be blocked. But, for my surprise, on one fine day TOI main paper found that in TN, kannada channels are not blocked.. reason is business is different to politics.. In response to that, in Karnataka also, tamil channels won’t be blocked. Good to see this.. but, this should have come from different reason than this like friendship, welfare of the other state people etc… Whatever the reason, I was happy hoping that in the future this may lead to that..
Nice Blog
Mohit said
Wow that’s some scheme !!
BTW, what does La Mitad Extranjera mean ???
The middle foreigner ? Doesn’t make much sense to me….maybe you are a nueva student of Spanish like me