Moving from Red to Green

Most of us come across beggars, lepers and children begging for alms at the traffic signal. No one can guarantee the authenticity of their reason for begging. We come across "severely handicapped", who can scamper across the road to avoid being hit by oncoming vehicle. And one can’t miss the "chukkas" with their echoing clap and "Aye Raajuu” and how people give alms to avoid from being cursed by a eunuch.

Then there is other s that widens our knowledge. They are the ones who sell newspapers, books, maps. It’s amazing how they conduct their business. Their “business timing” are between red and green lights. At peace with themselves, with the world rushing by, they have only few minutes to sell their wares. Have you ever observed the bookseller? He always has the latest English bestselling author on display. He might have never studied the English language. But he understands what the book is all about. Have you observed the newspaper walla? He is updated with the latest stock market result, the latest headlines, election news and war. He is completely connected with the world. In fact the news is his World. Have you observed the guy who sells maps? He can pinpoint to perfection, Austria and Australia. He might have not gone to school, forget studying geography. But he will tell you that capital of Australia is Canberra not Sydney, Berlin - capital of Germany and not to forget the where in the map of India lies Mizoram.

I wonder how many of us in this corporate world are "connected" with the world. How many of us know who is Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh? Or what is the latest best seller? Or how many seats are required in Lok Sabha to form a government.

These guys may appear dressed in poverty, but their knowledge makes us feel poor.