Comments on: Forever Trembling on the Brink (Of Numbers)

By: Anurag

Anurag — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Atanu,

While all this philanthropic stuff, donations, relief etal, looks and sounds great on TV, the problem with it is sustainability. Not only in times of disasters, but even normally, “giving” to the “needy” can never lead to sustainable benefits. Rather than focussing on the redistribution of wealth earned by some individuals to people who have not worked for it, or can’t, the focus should be on channelising the latent energies at the bottom of the economic pyramid into wealth creation, for the people (the so called needy) themselves and for the system as a whole. By attempting to help them “selflessly”, we can satisfy our egos but we will only dig a bigger hole for the objects of our effort.

By: Nirav

Nirav — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Great Comment Anurang. The challange is – “How to Give Gracefully”. Meaning, without hurting self-respect, self-esteem, self-confidence of the individual in question. I do not know which of the charitable organizations have this in the center of their efforts.

By: Uday

Uday — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’m sorry – I disagree with the above two comments. If the ‘philanthropic stuff’ is indeed going to the most needy and is not being pilfered large scale by people who don’t really need it, it is helping the most needy at a dire and hence very stressful time. There are credible studies that correlate the breakdown of body resistance to stress, and we are all aware of the epidemics that these poor people are now susceptible to. Any and all philanthropic assistance is welcome. Credible aid organizations have asked for money to even out resources and prevent a glut of a few items. I hope anyone reading this excellent blog, who therefore have means way above the national average, have done their part.

It has been just 11 days and the situation in Andamans is precarious. There is no doubt that with the passage of time we all should influence society towards a solution that seeks to improve the lives of those on the brink. My takeaway from Atanu’s and Soumen’s message is that the primary problem is gross over population. We should treat the cancer not the symptoms, but at this moment money to aid the victims would greatly help!