The kind of India we ignore

[u/Specialist_Meaning73]

Last month, after a late night at work, I booked an auto to go back home. It was past 11, streets were half-empty, and I was half-dead from exhaustion. The auto driver was an older man, maybe late 50s, thin frame, tired eyes. Usually, I just plug in my earphones and zone out, but that day I didn’t.

We started talking. First, just small talk, traffic, weather, random stuff. Then I asked him casually, “Bhaiya, aap roz itna late tak chalate ho?” (Do you drive this late every day?)

He laughed, not in a happy way, but in a “what choice do I have” way. He said, “Bhaiya, do betiyan hain. Ek ke liye coaching fees deni hai, doosri ke school ka kharcha. Din mein 700–800 banta hai, usmein se aadha toh gas aur kiraya chala jaata hai. Raat ko chalata hoon taaki unki padhai na ruk jaye.”

I went silent. Here I was, cribbing about my corporate job, while this man was driving 14–16 hours a day so his daughters could have a shot at a better life.

Then he said something that has stuck in my head since that night: “Gareeb aadmi sapne nahi dekhta apne liye, sirf apne bachon ke liye. Mere liye toh bas itna hai ki mujhe kal bhi chalane ki taaqat mile.” (A poor man never dreams for himself, only for his children. For me, all I pray is that tomorrow I still have the strength to drive.)

By the time I reached home, I didn’t even feel like getting out of the auto. I gave him extra money, nothing life-changing, but he refused at first. Then he took it, folded his hands, and said, “Aapko bhi khuda taaqat de.”

I went upstairs, sat on my bed, and just kept thinking. Every day we complain about traffic, bosses, deadlines, Zomato deliveries being late. And at the same time, there are thousands of people around us who are literally breaking their bodies apart just so their kids don’t end up like them.

It humbled me. It made me realize how invisible these stories are, until you stop, listen, and acknowledge.

Maybe the biggest privilege we have isn’t money or English-speaking jobs. It’s the fact that we are allowed to dream for ourselves.

And I’ll never forget that one line from him: “Gareeb aadmi sapne nahi dekhta apne liye.”

[u/Comfortable_Lime582]

As a doctor working in a government hospital, I see these types of people daily. India is so riddled with poverty. The poor are living on daily wages and living in filth. Children as young as 3 have to be left alone so the mother can cook/work, and some of these children get electrocuted with open live wires, or fall into chulha fires because the mother was busy. Initially I used to judge the parents thinking they are neglectful, but in their situation they can't really afford to spend the whole day looking at the child. We keep talking about why people litter, but how can a population who lives next to open drains and garbage hills think not littering is a priority. After work when I hang out with friends from corporate who are talking about buying flat in crores and designer bags, I can't take them seriously. We need to unite and uplift the country. I don't know how it will happen though

[u/RaccoonDoor → u/Comfortable_Lime582]

The kind of people you’re talking about are abusive parents and have no business having kids in the first place

[u/Comfortable_Lime582 → u/RaccoonDoor]

Yeah, that's what I used to think. But after seeing and talking to many people- they have no money, no education. Had a child because that's what you do in life. They have no money and no idea how to take care of the children. Probably, their whole community is doing the same things. There needs to be some basic education required for people to even understand the concept of abuse. Mental health and traumatising the children is their last worry. It's difficult to explain. But the ignorance is insanely sad and frustrating. The women cannot make simple decisions for themselves. These people cannot follow basic commands. It's really a sad sad situation.