The dhobi and the barber

Sounds like a title of a Tinkle story? But, two people I'll never forget in my life as a development professional.

It was six months back. While waiting in the bus stop on the highway NH 47A near my village, I noticed a frail old man in the opposite bus stop. The bus top is a cement structure with slabs for people to sit. The old man was busy ironing clothes on his cart which was parked in front of the bus stop.

I needed some help with washing/ironing my clothes, so I approached him. While talking to him, I noticed some vessels and some things kept inside the busstop. It took a while to realise - the bus stop was his home.

After a brif chat, we struck a deal. So far he was only ironing clothes, but, he would start washing clothes for me - I was his first customer in his new job as dhobi. And he asked for a good price for the work which I immediately agreed. But, then came the catch. He didnt have the money to invest in buckets and soap needed to wash the clothes. I thought for sometime and then offered to pay an advance. He immediately refused. He wouldnt accept money without completing the work. I was filled with pride to see a poor, old man with so much self respect.

After that, he did a lot of work for me, always prompt and good at work. Even when there were no clothes to give, as I waited in the bus stop, we used to chat about his health, weather and his work. His simple life style was something I used to admire. The way he used to walk, head held high and open chest and bold steps - he walked like a man who owned the place.

But, there were problems. His health was failing. Sometimes, he would not be able to accept clothes as it was raining, but I used to wait for some time and go back to him, talk of customer loyalty. Increasingly, his health wouldnt permit him to take up work. He started looking tired and weak.

A month ago, he explained his woes and said he was considering asking me for a small advance. That was surprising.. a man who had flatly refused to accept any advance a few months back was being forced into taking help.

The next day, I saw that the bus stop was empty. He had gotten into an argument with people living in nearby huts and they had chased him away. I heard he had shifted to a nearby village.

A week ago, I met this man again. Now a Hunch back and unable to stand erect, he was clinging on to a stick. In his other hand, he had a vessel, a begging bowl. When I first saw him, I didnt realise all this, I greeted him the way I always used to greet him. Upon seeing me, he looked stunned for a moment and then hobbled away wailing.

I didnt follow him, I just walked away. It took me a while to completey grasp the meaning of what I had just seen. A self respecting man had just been reduced to a beggar by bad health and poverty. In just six months ....

Poverty is worsening before my eyes ...

The barber's story is very short. He was our family barber. He was the one who tonsured my brother's head and mine after we were born. He was a chirpy jubilant man who we all liked. After I came to my village eight months ago, once in a week, I would make a call to him and he would come to my home and give me a shave. He used to get a good price for his work. And I was a loyal customer to him. But, nearly two months ago, I got to know one morning.. he passed away in a heart attack. All of a sudden, no warning whatsoever..

I didnt shave for nearly a month.

After that, his son took over his job. But, things are not good. He's very slow in responding to calls- one day he turned up at 12o Clock noon when I called him at 6 in the morning. So, im back to shaving by myself and get him to do the haircut on a holiday.

Sometimes, I wonder, does it require more than means and good intentions to help the poor. Life can be cruel, especially when you are vulnerable. There are several people living on the fringes, the margins, thay can anytime be knocked into utter poverty. We need structures that assist these people to stay afloat. A old age home, or a mobile ambulance could help people like the dhobi and the barber.

All this, especially the dhobi incident happened when we were in celebration mode for some success at work. If development means wiping every tear from every face as Gandhi said ... the battle against poverty seems like the Lagaan team taking on Australia. Winning over poverty requires a fight of a different order. One or two isolated successes will not do - poverty will slap you in the face if you take it too lightly. What is needed is a coordinated effort from all of us(little drops of water make a mighty ocean), a rethinking of our way of life(love thy neighbour), a restructuring of our society(all for one and one for all), a silent revolution(at the height of success against poverty i think there will be no celebration, there will be only calmness, silence and peace(internal).. thats my aim now), spirituality and moral strength is needed to win over poverty.