The Invictus

Hmm this is my 3rd blog for the day....needs to be seen if i can keep up this tempo!

Begging is banned in Singapore. But this is not about a beggar. This is about a man who sits right behind my apartment. I see him everyday, as he sits from morning to evening playing his Flute. He appears to be in his 50s, decently dressed, and sitting in one corner of the square with a alms bowl in front of him. He has a placard in front of him that says he has only one lung, and he needs to sustain his family on charity. He doesnt speak a word, just going about his routine - playing flute.

I see him everyday...everyday as i near the square, I can hear the flute. Everyday, i feel sorry for him. I want to stop and read the placard fully - but am embarrassed to do so. Everyday, he makes me feel guilty of being better-off. Wonder if my guilt has got anything to do with the fact that he is a "White-skinned" caucasian. Are we all conditioned to think of caucasians as being this well-off breed that we mere poor third-worlders always look up to? Why then should a seasoned Mumbai-ite like me feel sad and guilty looking at him? Am I not used to seeing all those homeless, poor, destitutes stopping me at ecvery traffic signal and begging for money or food or whatever I can give them? Is guilt partial to some?

These conflicting thoughts stop me from dropping some money in his bowl. If ever i want to do some charity, then why not do that to my people in my country India? Afterall, Charity begins at home, right? Have walked-past this man all these days having convinced myself on the above argument.

Today, I did the unthinkable: I gave him some money (equivalent of Rs 27). As for my loyalty to my country, I think i'll drop a bit more - may be double - to the kid who always stops me at Marol naka (Mumbai) traffic signal.

signing off....for now!