I had to find a place to hide since it started pouring. It doesn’t rain that frequently in Chennai, but hey, it’s the monsoon. So, I was standing at a Nattu Marundhu Kadai (a shop which sells traditional Indian medicines), and there was small bench outside, where I settled to enjoy the rain.
In the corner of the store, there was a old woman, huddled under a Umbrella (which seems to be more of a collection of patches), protecting her from the rain. She was selling Beetel leaves, and her merchandize was on a small shaky bench, and she was on the road. The rain was obviously not good, but she had no signs of leaving before getting her income for the day. I felt that one of the biggest failures of our time is our inability to provide old-age income security to millions of poor Indians, most of whom live in our streets selling everything from beetel leaves to bananas. Obviously, this was one of my intense ‘grassroots reflection’ experiences. But wait, I’m not a complete jerk.
So, I decided to buy some beetel leaves. I asked for beetel leaves worth Rs. 25. That was quite a bit, she almost gave me one-fourth of her merchandise. I obviously had no immediate need for beetel leaves. However, I thought, hey, this is not the only time in life I’m buying something which I don’t need.
So, the next time you are in Chennai, go to Purasaiwakam and to Tana Street. In the corner, you will find a old lady selling beetel leaves, most probably wearing a green saree. You cant miss her. Go up to her and offer to buy up her whole merchandise. It should not cost you more than Rs. 100. Of course, you don’t need beetel leaves worth hundred rupees. But you will probably get some good sleep that night, and I’m sure this is not the first time you would be buying something that you don’t need.
It is probably a mere coincidence someone anonymously left the following comment to my previous post:
Or may be its not a mere coincidence!
In the corner of the store, there was a old woman, huddled under a Umbrella (which seems to be more of a collection of patches), protecting her from the rain. She was selling Beetel leaves, and her merchandize was on a small shaky bench, and she was on the road. The rain was obviously not good, but she had no signs of leaving before getting her income for the day. I felt that one of the biggest failures of our time is our inability to provide old-age income security to millions of poor Indians, most of whom live in our streets selling everything from beetel leaves to bananas. Obviously, this was one of my intense ‘grassroots reflection’ experiences. But wait, I’m not a complete jerk.
So, I decided to buy some beetel leaves. I asked for beetel leaves worth Rs. 25. That was quite a bit, she almost gave me one-fourth of her merchandise. I obviously had no immediate need for beetel leaves. However, I thought, hey, this is not the only time in life I’m buying something which I don’t need.
So, the next time you are in Chennai, go to Purasaiwakam and to Tana Street. In the corner, you will find a old lady selling beetel leaves, most probably wearing a green saree. You cant miss her. Go up to her and offer to buy up her whole merchandise. It should not cost you more than Rs. 100. Of course, you don’t need beetel leaves worth hundred rupees. But you will probably get some good sleep that night, and I’m sure this is not the first time you would be buying something that you don’t need.
It is probably a mere coincidence someone anonymously left the following comment to my previous post:
What we think, or what we know,
or what we believe, in the end is of little consequence.
The only consequence is what we do.
3 comments:
While I can appreciate the literary beauty of the quote..I cant but find it amusing to say the least- I don't see action as a stand alone- action is a culmination of what I know, what I think and what I believe. It would be a hypocrite who would do what he doesn't think/believe. Isn't it?
Nice post Santhosh. Also *very* good to know that its raining in Chennai! :)
I guess there's another Krish reading your blog as well :)
See you on this side of the planet soon...
Awww...sweet post :) I take it you will be bringing back some betel leaves...just kidding!
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