L.C. Jain on Baba Amte in Deccan Herald:
“He once organised a scavengers’ (night soil collectors’) union, but when they struck for higher wages while he was still vice chairman of the municipality, he refused their demands because the town committee lacked funds. The strikers charged he was unsympathetic because he had never carried a pan of night soil on his head.
“‘Imagine our plight during the monsoon,’ they pleaded.
“They challenged him to do the job and then reconsider. Baba Amte accepted the challenge and was assigned 40 latrines. Daily he collected the steel pans of excrement from the backs of houses and carried them on his head to the disposal sites. It was revolting and sickening labour and affected him profoundly, deepening his regard for, and commitment to, these outcasts. The scavengers received their raise.”
Read the full tribute: Riding sports car to serving lepers
Also read: Silicon City has night soil carriers
Warning: Do not try it at home!
Rama,
What if the muncipality workers in your area go on strike?
You don’t HAVE to go through the experience to be empathetic about anything. if you follow this method nothing gets done. Baba should trust and realise the problems of scavengers when they are presented to him. For him to refuse to understand others’ problems just because he has not undergone it personally shows a very mean mind. This is EXACTLY how a man in a high post should NOT behave. This reminds me of the time when i had applied for leave under maternity Act when I underwent a miscarriage. I was entitled for six weeks leave according to the law but the clerk said he cannot take a medical certificate as proof of miscarriage and sanction leave!! how did he want to be convinced of my problem? Follow Baba Amte’s example?!!!
Classic post, Mrignayani !!
Meaness is never a virtue.
Mrignayani:
It’s sad what happened with you.
But it’s bad that you do not get the essence of matter. There’s no point telling anything, instead, I’d just give you this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v/O_M02sa5CmQ
May you achieve a little more enlightenment.