The Unequal Playing Grounds

Right from my childhood, I have encountered many stark inequalities in different fields. These inequalities have always been evident in front of my eyes.

I am sure it had been more evident before the time I was born. No wonder communists were able to launch a revolution which changed the socio-political and economic realities in India that existed before them. No wonder our beloved motherland was bifurcated into two by exploiting these inequalities that existed then. No wonder armed insurgencies sprouted in different parts of North-east, and they still exist, owing to these inequalities. No wonder, caste and religion based politics has always been dominant in our country, allowing different groups/tribes/communities to be exploited by their "political saviors", only because of these inequalities. I do not intend to discuss with the readers, incidents, which happened in the past, even though their consequences will be ever present in the society. This perhaps, is a topic we shall discuss some other time. I intend to discuss the inequalities which we see in the present world, which we encounter in our everyday lives and often ignore them, or at most, express our fake regret and inability.

I believe a single article cannot possibly cover every inequalities that are present and their consequences in the society, so I humbly ask forgiveness from my readers for being picky with the ones, I believe, are most important. 

1. The Money 

I am sure, every layman, knows and values the thing which is rightly declared "god" by many in the present world. However, I very much doubt that 'GOD', if ever existed, would have wanted to give so much to the few and nothing to the most.

Division in the society, caused by money, is such that the lower(based on income) 50% of India's population is practically forced to starve just because the country locked down itself for 60 days. It is such that a girl rides for about 1300 km, with her ill father as pillion, on bicycle while 15 special trains have been made operational for the few who can pay its fare, which in some cases, is equal to the monthly income of many.

It appears in front of your eyes when you pass by a slum where a 10*10 room houses 8 people, a common toilet serves over 60 people, sewer lines pass through the slums, clean drinking water is a luxury, while the "lucky" few have sprawling mansions, multi-storey towers, farm houses, and what not.

It troubles you when a group of people run for a piece of bread like a bunch of dogs, forgive my blunt language, while a "chosen" few throw their entire plate of expensive meals just because they don't feel like eating.

There are plenty of such real-life encounters which you must have gone through, but showed defiance, admit it. But, even if you show concern, just like I am doing right now, it serves no purpose to uplift the poor. It will be read by a few, like you and me, and then, may be discussed on social media, and that's it. Sadly, the realms of change lies with the bureaucracy, politicians in power, civil rights groups, NGOs, and a few influential persons who chose not to do anything for reasons known only to them. However, it doesn't imply that efforts of a common man is useless. We should always remember, a country like India is of the people, by the people and for the people.

2. The Education

According to 2011 census, only 74.01% of India is literate, that is, can read,write and do basic arithmetical calculations in at least one language. The other 25.99% (about 31,47,01,208 people) can't even read or write.

In today's world, it is impossible to discuss education without money. If someone today decides to declare education a subset of money, I will not be completely opposed to it. 

We have seen in this lockdown that almost every school/college has started online classes to make up for the classes lost due to lockdown. Some are even trying to introduce online semester exams like DU. I wonder if they ever thought about the kids who don't have access to laptop or smartphone, don't have internet connection, whose families are making both ends meet.

Education is today's world is divided into public vs private, or should I say poor vs rich? 

The ones with rich parents study in private schools with all facilities at their disposal. Gymnasiums, swimming pools, large playing grounds, auditoriums and what not. Quality teachers and learning experience are provided to them. These schools are equipped with modern technology like projectors, tablets, digital boards, AI, etc. These things ensure that the child has good basic education and new skills with him when he passes out from the school.

The ones with poor parents can't afford to study in private schools. Because the facilities mentioned above aren't provided for free. It needs a huge sum of money which, again, can be provided by the few "lucky" ones. So, they go to sarkari (public) schools, where they are provided basic facilities by the government for their education. If you personally visit one of these schools, you will see the pathetic conditions prevailing there. Broken benches, no electricity, less than 20% of sanctioned staff, dilapidated buildings, stunted/wasted/malnourished children, torn uniforms, poorly trained teachers, unsanitary toilets, etc. Children passing out from these schools have very little to give to the society. Their education is as strong as a wooden bridge which is waiting for a train to pass over it.

After passing out from schools, these children have to sit for common entrance tests like NEET, JEE, etc. The management of these exam conducting agencies do not consider this disparity which we discussed above and sets questions same for everyone. Tell me, is this a fair fight?

You are also aware that good basic education ensures quality higher education. If basic education is ruined, you cannot expect good higher education. Exceptions are there who have time and again proved this theory wrong with their extraordinary effort and resilience. I salute these nameless heroes who  show the light to those gloomy poor children who lose their confidence by this excessive battering of society on them.

However, keeping exceptions apart, poor basic education cascades itself to other layers of education and effectively destroys the whole education process intended to impart quality education to an individual. This in turn promotes unemployment due to lack of required skills which in turn promotes poverty. This cycle repeats itself for poor.

Similarly, good education ensures quality higher education for the rich which in turn ensures employment and skills. This cycle also repeats itself for the rich.

Thus we often come across this tag "poor will always remain poor".

I accept there are many fields untouched when it comes to inequality in this article. But I believe every inequality stems from these two root causes mentioned above.  I strongly believe that a universal quality education and minimum monetary support to every individual will ensure elimination of every inequality that exists. It will make us more open-minded, more tolerant, more mature, more compassionate and overall a responsible citizen.