Burdened Metamorphosis

On one lazy winter afternoon, in the light of the setting Sun, I came across a very old mansion surrounded by a slum on the bank of river Ganga. The old house, now almost dilapidated, standing tall in the middle of a ground with its all glory faded today. It appeared as a very old man who has witnessed history is eager to tell me an untold story of his own.

As I stepped in, I was told that the house dates back to the time of British period and was initially used as a barn. The East India Company used the river route to expand their business and the banks of the river became populated with traders along with people providing supportive activities. The trade flourished and so the number of people migrated from remote villages to find a better fortune and built small huts to stay, and eventually formed a community of their own. They stayed on selling their productive efforts and became to be known as urban labors.

Later on, when Britishers left, the nature of the trade activities changed, and the surrounding area gradually grew into a very small industrial hub. Interestingly, the community remained and the people became a cheap source of labor required by these factories. The barn was no longer needed and the mansion became less used and finally left abandoned. It was only the kids who found a new place of their own.

Industries grew but the slum remained in dark.. nobody cared. The level literacy remained low even if economists of the world over have been highlighting the significance of education.

Honorary Parliament of India has ratified Free and Compulsory Education for Children Bill, making education as a fundamental right. But the question remains.. will mere enshrining of rights alone will bring in the desired results ??