On the one hand there is the report in the Indian Express this morning which tells us (in the largest survey of its kind ever undertaken) that even today one in every four Indians practice untouchability in some form with his or her fellow human beings. On the other we have these stark black and white images. Juxtapose these two stories side by side and you know why the existence of one is fertile fodder for the problem we see manifest in the other. The only thought that comes to my mind after having gone through this is what on Gods earth is wrong with us? Is this what we are as a society? Historically insensitive and insincere! How can it be that the misfortune and suffering of people who are doing arguably the toughest job on the planet escape us so completely as we go through our pretty lives? Sudharak Olwes profound photo essay makes us recall the story of the ones who have been historically pushed to the margins, the defeated and dehumanised, with a fervent longing to help forge a better society. After all, what more is a conscientious photographer supposed to do? The question is will these images haunt us enough to demand better living conditions for them? Will it force us to ask tough questions of the Bombay Municipal Corporation as to why these safai karmacharis cannot benefit from the latest advances in technology? Is this how they do it in New York and Paris? Or any other civilised part of the globe? Do we have enough heart in our heart to show our solidarity with them by at least starting a fund so as to shame the officials into looking at their problems with empathy? This is not the time to feel numb. If anything this is the time to feel angry, revolted and yet positive. There is a whole lot we can help change about this. If only deep inside we feel hurt enough for our fellow citizens.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 12:08:04 +0000
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