Yesterday, I missed my Bus and decided to take a train from Andheri to Dadar in Mumbai. I am quite skeptical about traveling by train in Mumbai. Probably, due to the heavy rush & push the commuters have to endure while boarding & disembarking the train. Hats off to people who do it day after day. I also feel they are mostly victims due to lack of choice & are forced to travel this way.

However, I am not writing this post on my train travel but about two little girls, one aged 7-8 years & other less than 5 years who traveled along with us. Moment the train started, the elder girl started to play a small dhol kind of instrument and sing at the top of her voice. The younger girl also joined her in between but was not able to complete the lines many a time. But the elder one continued to sing an old Hindi song at the top of her voice. She completed one song & then another with the same vigor.

I was wondering if someone had requested me to shout like her (leave alone singing), my throat would have gone for a “SIX” and would have probably gone to a doctor today. But these girls continued singing and in between the younger one was asking for alms from the commuters. She smiled happily when someone contributed.

I too contributed some amount with a thought that "Am I encouraging these kids into this profession by contributing". Still, the desire to contribute was far higher and hence contributed. The thought also led me into thinking “Is someone trying to exploit our vulnerability towards children? Is this part of an organized gang who use children to earn money? Somehow, the kids looked clean and not someone who lives on road.

Later, as I started walking towards my office, I thought instead of giving them some money for a day, can we look at something which could provide them safety & livelihood for the rest of their life. But, is this possible Individually? Is this something I can do for them? If yes, for how many? There are hundreds of children who we see live on roads / pavements.

I have heard that there are hundreds of NGO's and social welfare organization in this country who work for the benefit / upliftment of these poor kids. Are these agencies enough to handle the large number in this stratum of our society?  Besides, I do know many major corporate houses have started investing back into our society through CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities, which is great.

But then, who do we attribute the responsibility to cater for the basic necessities to these children? Can we grow into a society which takes care of all these kids? Can we provide sufficient food, education & clothing with some decent space to stay for all the children, as part of our social responsibility?

I do not know of a solution, as I ask myself these questions. I am probably too selfish and would like to take care of my own family first and not think of my social responsibility, as of now. However, I would definitely love to contribute & serve with any good, reliable NGO’s, to the extent possible from my end.

Look forward to some interesting views / comments from my Friends,

Till then...……......  Velan. 

* Photo of Indian Street Children from HoboTraveler.com