The cheapest iPod
By Boorback | April 16th, 2009 | Category: IndiaI’ve never seen Bapi sad, worried or depressed. I must admit that I’ve seen him for only about 40-45 days in the past 2 years so I can’t be sure if on other days he has not felt the blues. I’ve chatted with his mother and the people who know him and they too have confessed that Bapi has always been a cheerful, free-willed child with no tantrums. He is honest, disciplined and an ever smiling bundle of energy who permeates an aura of happiness.
The last time I met Bapi, a few weeks back, I got my first opportunity to have a decent conversation with him. He told me that he was having his annual examinations at school. He was sure of passing out in flying colours and looked forward to be in Class VI – a feat that would make him the most educated member in his family. He told me that he was also responsible for teaching his younger brother who studied in Class III. “But my brother is an ass! He just tears up all his books and keeps losing his pencils everyday! I have to dip into my savings often to buy pencils for him.” “That’s bad! But how were your exams? My mother was telling me you too shirk from studying hard!” I asked. “Huh! My mom always cribs about me. I did very well in the exams. The essays in my Arithmetic exams were very simple and easy. I’m sure I got them all correct. I’m also certain that I did all the tables right in my History exams”, Bapi’s face lit up with another of his million watt smiles and he quickly changed the topic. “Next time, you are here I’ll show you my iPod.” “An iPod! But it costs a lot of money?”. “Yeah! About 200 rupees ($5)! I’m saving and need about 75 rupees more”, he replied with confidence. I was flabbergasted but Bapi remained sanguine. “Okay. I’ll show you my friend’s iPod and then you’ll know what I’m talking about,” he smiled and ran away. An hour later he came back, fished out a slim and sleek looking FM radio with earphones attached of Chinese make. “Hey Sir! This is the iPod I was talking about. Do you believe me now?!” His face beamed in a triumphant smile…
Bapi is 12 years old. Since his father died 3 years ago, he has been working at Digamber Lodge – the only decent hotel in Dhuliyan. Dhuliyan, a town by the river Ganges in Murshidabad – the poorest district in West Bengal – is one of the largest bidi manufacturing centres in Eastern India. Around 85% of Dhuliyan’s population, which includes Bapi’s mother, work as labourers who roll bidis by hand earning 52 rupees (a little more than $1) for every 1000 pieces. Bapi works throughout the day and sometimes even at night except for few hours in the morning when he attends school. He sweeps the rooms, washes the toilets, brings food and refreshments for the guests, cleans the dishes and at night, when the manager snores away to glory, he even checks-in the new arrivals. Bapi’s official salary is 200 rupees per month plus lunch and dinner. His mother collects his salary. Of course he some tips from the guests – he is stashing his bonuses to buy his dream gadget!
I would love to see Bapi with his ‘iPod’ plugged in his ears next time I’m in Dhuliyan…
Isn’t it sad how a life like this is the best option that is there for a child like Bapi…
Irene: Its terrible… Dhuliyan is a town where child labour is rampant - an economic necessity and socially very acceptable
Another example of how we’ve failed to provide a life of dignity to so many of our citizens. Kids like Bapi also exemplify the neglect and poor investment on quality primary education in India.
Being happy and nonchalant is the only defense mechanism left for kids like Bapi. I too wish he gets his dream gadget soon.
drychilli: Very true… we have IITs and IIMs and on the other hand we have ‘educated’ or ‘literate’ kids like Bapi who write arithmetical ‘essays’ !!!!!!!!
slowfade: that’s an interesting thought … i suppose it makes such kids remain oblivious to the harsh reality of their lives.
A terrible reality which we are all aware of…but do we do anything for kids loke Bapi?
No, we dont Tuli. Very often we just satisfy our conscience by making donations to NGOs. Monish, thanks for again giving us a glimpse of the world beyond, the world that we would like to remain oblivious to, for our convenience. That one about essays in arithmetic and tables in history is very significant.
Sonali: Sadly we can do very little. For every Bapi we ‘rescue’ there will be more such Bapi’s to fill up the void. At the subsistence level of existence, where every child is an economic asset, child labour is impossible to eradicate.
Bishnu: Donations to NGOs also lessen our tax burden! Efforts of NGOs (and even of our government/s) have impacted positively on the lives of a minuscule section. But the cruxi of the matter is as long as there is poverty there will be child labour. It may sound harsh but Bapi’s income (and the fact he gets ‘free’ meals) is of great significance to his widowed mother and two siblings.