The Two Extremes

[#1]

Hi,

This is just my observation of life & an effort to encourage people to have more human centric society. Many extremes exist in this world. On one side there is joy, luxury and on the other we have just the opposites.

We enjoy winters, take out our sweaters, jackets & love to wear them. What about those who are not even sure whether they will survive this winter or not? Forget about sweaters & jackets, they don't even have a piece of cloth to cover their bare bodies.

We enjoy different foods. Indian, Italian, English, Spanish & many more, I guess I will be short of space if I list all the categories. And there are people who don't even know whether they will have their next meal. What they really need is just a piece of bread. These Indian, Italian, English, Spanish etc are of no significance to them. For us getting three meals is a need but for them it is a luxury.

We enjoy going to international schools, reputed colleges, get exposure to latest of technologies. What about those who have never seen the classroom? It is not that they do not want to study or they don't want to enjoy the latest technologies, it is just that they don't have the option. It is just that, they did a crime, the crime of taking birth on the roads, on footpaths.

And I don't know who to blame for all this? Why there are two extremes? Why not everyone is at same level? Why not equal opportunities for all? Why not everyone who has the luxury come forward & fulfil the needs of the others? Why the difference? Why people get punishment for the crime they didn't even do?

I don't know the answers to all these questions, but I can just ask those who get three meals to share at least a slice with those who are striving even to get one. Help others study if you have the privilege of being educated. We cannot balance out these two extremes completely  but at least we can make an effort to lessen the distance between the two end points. Just give a try. Our small effort can change the lives of many. We can make this world a better place to live for those who always question their existence.

~ Neeraj

[Former Member]

I agree with Julius and share similar distrust over 'organized' charity where admin & publicity costs are high. They also waste lot of paper sending fliers to just about anyone.

I prefer to give away  food to street kids.

In India today, there are ample opportunities to work and fulfil basic necessities including education for one's children; but for apathy & ignorance of parents of the 'poor kids' There is also much violence towards kids so that they will 'earn' money by begging.

[matt]

This is why I think we need some organised charities - it can be more effective to give money to a food distribution charity than to distribute food yourself (economies of scale). What we should do, I think, is carry out due diligence. Check out the kind of charity we want to support, and ensure that it is efficient.

I never give to street collectors or beggars -though I might well buy food for them, nonetheless.

I was shopping in the supermarket in France a couple of weeks ago. There was a food bank charity there, asking people to buy a few extra items in their weekly shop, to give to the food bank, which then distributes the items to disadvantaged families in the region. I think this is a great idea.

[Former Member]

Food bank seems a good idea! There are also corporates which run campaigns where part of proceeds per unit sold are used for charitable activities towards the underprivileged.