of cabbages...and kings...

 

Yesterday, a cousin sent me a NY times video on the India-china race.

It showed a little corner of Bihar where there is no schooling, no health care and little change in the life of the people in spite of all the progress that India has made. The reporter compared this with far better conditions in rural China and opined that India would loose

out to China in the race for supremacy because of this lack of percolation of basic amenities to our poorest.

I found myself defending my country. Acknowledging the gaps and the lapses, but pointing out the ways and means in which social change is being affected. Not just by government agencies, but by ordinary people. Education cess, for example, which many people are happy to pay. And the Right to Information act which will make it possible for a tax payer to find out how the government used that education cess. I quoted the recent 'Lead India' campaign which brought many social activists into public view.

All well and good, but it left a glaring gap – what about me? What am I doing for this country I claim to love so much?

The time has come to talk of important things. Of kings...and queens...

 

There are women like me, in their late thirties and forties, who would be able to spare 3 – 4 hours a week. Women with good education, communication skills, experience and ability.

Women of privileged status, empowered, knowledgeable, well informed. Women who care.

 

I'm calling to all of you there – what can we do to make things better?

Anybody with ideas...put us to use.

 

No excuses, no whines, no rants or raves.

Just ideas please. And numbers. I'm calling to the Sisterhood – hey girls, how many of you are willing to be put to work?

Let's make a change...

 

the time has come...the walrus said...to talk of many things...of cabbages and kings...