I live in Delhi, and I often visit the nearby PVR Anupam cinema which is just a metro station away from my place. Everybody around me seemed to be talking about this movie, “URI”, so, I decided to watch it too. I didn’t take much money with me as the theatre happens to be close by, and I usually don’t eat anything during the interval. I enjoyed the movie. How wonderful it was!
After the movie, I took the exit, through a long spiral staircase which led straight into the market. Oblivious to the world, I was thinking about how the movie was worth the time and the money spent on it. And out of nowhere, I heard the sound of a girl weeping. I noticed a small girl who couldn’t have been more than 7 years old. She was one of the many ghagra-choli-clad girls that one often comes across on the streets of Delhi.
No, she was not a beggar but was trying to earn a living by selling a few balloons that she held in her hand. But at that moment, she was crying, while one hand rested on her hip. I took a moment, then went and asked her, “Kyun ro rahi ho?” (Why are you crying?). To which she replied “Kutte ne kaat liya“. A dog had bitten her.
I enquired about her mother and she replied that she lived in Hauzrani. I said “Go to your mother and ask for a vaccination. You need that.” She nodded and walked away. She stopped crying but her hand was still on her hip. I couldn’t resist and once again, I went to her and asked if she wanted anything. Let me tell you this was not the first time I was talking to kids like her. And they almost always ask for paratha, golgappa and other food items which they don’t usually get to eat.
When I asked her if she wanted something, she didn’t even think and suddenly, said,”Aata dila do”. She asked for wheat flour.
I was flabbergasted by her words. Moreover, there wasn’t a place nearby that sold flour. So, I said, “Where can you find wheat flour around here?”She replied, “There” and led me, with balloons in one hand, and one still on her hip. Passing by the long line of shops, we reached a store. “You can find it here”. She was talking about the packaged flour they sold. I didn’t have much money then, so, I gave her a 50 rupee note, patted her shoulder and walked away.
While I was heading back to Malviya Nagar metro station, I couldn’t help but think about that girl. Of all the things she could possibly think of, she asked for wheat flour at that age! Can you imagine what made her ask that? Small children are running around in these adverse conditions, trying to earn for nothing but food. I have come across so many children begging or selling flowers, pens and other things in Connaught Place. At an age when they should be playing and going to school, they are worried about where their next meal is going to come from. At the age of 7, they are shouldering responsibilities that one usually has at 27.
Well, I am not writing this to change everything. No, I understand that I can’t. But all I ask is that you be aware of the presence of these children. If you see anyone like that, do not ignore them because you don’t want to shoulder any more burdens in the world. Take some time out to help if the person is genuinely in need of it, like this dog bitten girl. Thank you.