Ragpicker’s Diwali celebrations

I am a sympathiser of ragpickers as they indulge in this thankless work to earn a meagre living, doing their bit to keep our surroundings clean.

About five years ago, I was staying in the Panjab University campus. In the mornings, I would go for a jog towards Punjab Engineering College.

Every day I would come across a middle-aged ragpicker carrying a huge sack on his shoulders. After a fortnight or so he started wishing me. One day I asked him: Bhaiyaji, din mein kitna kamaa letey ho (How much do you earn in a day)? He replied: “Roti araam se khaa letey hain (I earn sufficient to make both ends meet). I was touched and impressed.

On Diwali morning I gave him some money: Bhaiya, bachchon ke liye kuchh ley janaa (Take something for your kids). He accepted silently. After an hour or so, I had to go somewhere. Driving on the road, I was surprised to see him sitting over a wall with someone. Between them were placed a liquor bottle, two paper glasses and a packet of namkeen. May be this was his way of celebrating Diwali or perhaps he had no family.

We still kept greeting each other every morning as usual, till I stayed at the campus. I never had the courage to ask him about his family nor did I want to embarrass him by telling him what I had seen.

I have often wondered why society looks down upon rag pickers. After all, they are doing a job to earn their living. We need to be more humane, courteous and generous towards people doing such menial jobs. They are unfortunate people in our unequal society.

Rajnish, Shimla