Who is the 'common man'? One thing is for sure, it is not you or me, because he doesn't have access to internet and even a computer. He is not the one who is frustrated with the government for the 2 hour power cut everyday because he cannot run his 5000W speakers, he is the one who is delighted by the news that the government will be providing two hours of electricity everyday to run his 1000W pump for irrigation water. He is not the one standing in the queue outside a multiplex for the latest blockbuster, he is the one standing in the queue outside the local 'kiraana' store for his monthly share of discounted groceries. He is not the one hanging out in the malls with a credit card in his wallet, he is the one going to a 'mela' with his kids and a ten rupee note in his pocket. He is not the one who cried with happiness when Sachin scored a double hundred, he is the one who cried when the monsoons reached his land just on time. All of us have seen him, but only a few have noticed him.
So, a question arises as to how do we relate to him and how does it matter to us? Well, he is the one responsible for growing the food you throw away in the dustbins just so easily. He is the one who guides you to a location totally unknown to you, never receiving a 'Thank you' in return. He is the one doing all the odd jobs of your house you don't even care about. He is the one who is always talked about, but never worked for.
Did you know that about 1/3rd of the world’s hungry live in India? Hunger remains the No.1 cause of death in India, Aids, Cancer etc. come much below that. Over 20 crore Indians will sleep hungry tonight while you complain of a bad dinner. India ranks 66 out of 88 countries on the 2008 Global Hunger Index (GHI)and nearly 66% of the deaths of malnourished children in the world occurs in India. DO you still feel like disposing off what is left on your palette into a dustbin?
Living in an era of consumerism, the common man is the one bearing the brunt for all our misdeeds. Food inflation, fuel price hike and the ever-growing cost of living has posed questions on even his bare existence.He was the one who always gave without reason and regrets, but time has brought him to the receiving end. The hopefuls have turned into cynics and the cheers have changed into remorse. The feeling of satisfaction has eluded out of reach.
Yet, there is a lot the 'uncommon man' can do to help. You and me can make a difference, an everlasting one this time. So, every time you order your cook to prepare some extra food 'just in case', imagine the face of the mother who cannot feed her children and cannot see them hungry too. Whenever you go for a long drive with your friends in your new car, imagine the face of the farmer who could not water his field because of the rising fuel prices. Whenever you run your air conditioner for the whole day because it is just too hot, remember the parents who fan their kids all night with newspapers so that they can sleep peacefully.
Rise up and look up. Wastage is a crime we all commit to the common man everyday, but we are never caught. The common man believes that all his hardships are given by God, but we all know the truth, atleast now. In a country where the 'common man' comprises 60% of the total population, he is the one who is also the most neglected. He has been the one who was always there to help, let us show that we can return the favour too. He has always treated us with respect, its time for us to show that we care for him as well. Let us pledge today to make that smile come back on his face again, for he deserves it a lot, more than we deserve ours.
