INR 100, cost of human life?

 I am sharing my pain about two instances today.

In front of my house is a beautiful mayflower tree. I feel joy admiring this tree, as it represents the tree of life with beautiful birds that visit. Earlier today, I saw a man mercilessly cutting the tree branches. This man was cutting more than the branches, he was cutting the side trunks of the tree. I felt sorry for the tree and tried consoling myself thinking that it will grow back again.

My attention then moved to the man perched higher than my third-floor apartment without any safety gear and a big knife in his hand. And my heart skipped several beats, out of concern. I urged him to not cut anymore of the tree and disembark. He cut a little more, he then climbed down the tree. What pained me even more was the money that he was to be paid.

The previous day, my cousin, Ayesha, who lives in the next building, told me about a discussion that four laborers were having with the owner of coconut trees in her building. They were asking for INR 500, an increase of INR 100 from the previous year, to take down the coconuts. They were kept anxiously waiting while the owner discussed with someone on the phone. The owner told them to take it or leave it. They went ahead and climbed the trees for INR 100 per person with no harness or safety gear. I am sure that they do not have insurance. They climbed trees as high as six floors for INR 100 and I cannot bear to find out their reason for taking this risk. This seems to be the value of human life in Mumbai, INR 100.

A recent report by Azim Premji University says, “This one year of COVID-19 has pushed 230 million (23 crore) Indians into poverty with a 15% increase in rural India and 20% surge in urban India”

While we are aware of the constraints, here lies an opportunity for non-profits, Governments, and corporates to collectively work with resolve and speed on poverty alleviation.

As individuals, we too can play a role wherever we are, by honoring the dignity of people and generously opening our wallets and paying respectfully for daily wage work.