The Plight of the Invisible
The Plight of the InvisibleHe was lying on the pavement of a busy street. He was the human image of filth. Flies were buzzing around his nose. He was lying in his feces, his shirtless torso & matted hair covered in dust. His pants might have once had a color, but now it had acquired the sorry hue of dirt. His bloodshot eyes were open, his eyeballs hidden by fluttering eyelids. His half open mouth was drooling.
It was Sunday evening. We were walking along an arterial road of Chennai – Radhakrishnan Salai. We were running an errand, I forget what exactly – something trivial & silly. We were looking for an address when we saw him. He was in a piteous state.
We looked at each other, our errand hovering in the background. But we had to do something to help him, he was clearly mentally deranged. Surely, many non-profit organizations serve the mentally ill.
So we called “Udhavum Karangal” (Helping Hands), an NGO that serves orphans & the destitute. A grumpy voice answered our call. “You’re calling on Sunday, a holiday” the voice said accusingly. But this man is very ill, we pleaded. “Have you called the police? That’s the procedure”.
We called the Police Control Room & made our request. Could the police please pick up the man? “Can the old man walk?” asked the police. We begged the police, he can’t be more than 30 but he looks like hell. Could you please pick him up? “You have to call the ambulance, #108 for that” we were told.
We called #108. The line was dead.
It was 4:30 PM. The Chennai sun was doing what it does best, which is scorching everything below. It was unbearably hot. Protected by a clump of trees, we were sweating profusely. The man was tossing & turning on the hot cement pavement, helpless & unprotected from the merciless sun.
We called the police again. “Please Sir. Help him”. They assured us that they will contact the ambulance. In the meantime, they agreed to send someone in 15 minutes.
We were standing directly opposite the “City Center” Mall, right next to the “Levis Strauss” outlet. Countless cars, bikes and people whizzed by. Men & women dressed to the nines. Youngsters out to have a good time. Parents dragging their children for a quick prayer in a nearby make-shift temple . Hardly anyone stopped to offer assistance. The battered man writhing on the street did not merit a single glance of pity.
An inspector promptly arrived in 20 minutes. “This is the procedure” he said briskly. “If anyone is willing to accompany him to the hospital & act as his relative, I’ll call the ambulance immediately”. He then took a closer look at the man. “This guy? We’ve admitted him to KMCH (Kilpauk Medical College Hospital) twice so far. Within a few days of his release, he’s back on the streets” he said, shaking his head.
We called “Udhavum Karangal” again. Please, we begged. Can someone from your organization accompany this man to KMCH? “We are full. We can’t take him in” we were told. You don’t have to take him in, can you accompany him to KMCH? “I need my Manager’s permission” – Unbelievable, we thought. Bureaucracy, when you least expect it. We donate liberally to you, we reminded them. Please call your manager. “He’s unreachable, sorry”.
“Did you find someone, madam?” asked the inspector, not unkindly. Please give us some time, we requested humbly. He agreed & busied himself with what inspectors do, he caught a bunch of traffic violators & wrote them tickets. “Please don’t mistake me madam” he said. “My workload is heavy & I don’t even have constables assisting me. I can’t accompany this man in the ambulance. But if you find someone that can take charge of him..”.
Let’s try “The Banyan”, we decided. Their primary goal is to help women, but certainly they won’t leave a schizophrenic lying on the streets near a cesspool. “We’re sorry, today is a holiday, so you have to call our volunteer” we were told. We called the volunteer.
“A man!” he said reproachfully. “Sorry sir, we only serve women”. But this man needs their help, we implored. Please, you don’t have to do anything, will you accompany him to the hospital? “We are full, we can’t help him”. We were stumped. Is there some other organization that he could recommend, that might help this man? “Well sir, had this been a woman, I could have given you 3 or 4 other numbers”.
This was new, we thought bitterly. Discrimination against men. The volunteer thawed slightly. “Well, since you’re persistent, please try Mahabodhi. They help old people”. The man wasn’t old. Our hearts fell into our stomach. But we still called Mahabodhi. The line was dead.
“Well, sir?” asked the inspector. “I’ve been waiting for 30 minutes. Did you find someone?”. My husband looked at me. “I’ll go with him” he said. “What? You in a disease-ridden ambulance with him?” I balked. Involuntarily, we looked at him. His whole body was jerking spasmodically. He was having a seizure.
That settled it for me. “Both of us will accompany him, Inspector” I said. “We’ll follow the ambulance”. The inspector looked a little taken aback. He was probably not expecting this response. “You look like decent people” he said. “Do you know what accompanying him means? If he runs away from the hospital or needs any kind of attention, you’ll be the 1st point of contact”. We looked at each other & our faces fell. We’ll become his guardians? We were not prepared for that. He was a stranger, he could be dangerous.
“Please don’t think ill of me, its not that I don’t want to help him” said the inspector, sensing our dismay. “You see, all this is new to you. I see much sadness & depravity everyday that I’m benumbed” he said uncomfortably. We couldn’t speak, we just nodded our heads. Meeting the inspector had been the best part of the ordeal.
“Say” said the inspector. “I’m positive this guy does drugs. He’s not ill at all, he’s on a high now. in another hour, he’ll be fine” he said. We think he made that up to make us & himself feel better. “Spend your time with your family, don’t waste your weekend with drug-dealing scum”.
As we turned to leave, thanking the inspector for his help, he said simply – “Please don’t think I’m heartless. I did my best”. We stammered our thanks & assured him that we didn’t think badly of him. After all, the Police Department had gone above & beyond their call of duty, while the others were no-shows.
The man lay on the pavement in the twilight, twitching slightly.
Very very sad. Does anyone know an NGO that will be willing to help such people out? We can reach out to them next time we encounter this type of a problem. It is unconscionable that in a city of 6 MM people, we will leave a man dying on the street.
Priya.. is it your experience? Just wanted to confirm!
Hi Priya and Sukumar:
I really appreciate both of your efforts. I don’t know what else to say…
God bless you..
Regards,
Swami K
http://ksaw.me
Sukumar – Thanks for your comment.
It will really be helpful to know which NGO to call in times like these. We may not be able to help everyone, but even if we help 1 person, we’ve done our duty as human-beings.
Senthil – Thanks for your comment.
Yes, its a real incident that happened to us today evening.
The first procedure is to call the police. Concerning, NGOs, the number of people willing to help is far in the case of women and children. Age plays a big factor. Don’t think the cop was trying to assuage your conscience. The guy might have been a druggie.
Having said that, even they should be given a chance at life. Environment, work, and other factors play a huge role. But the cop was dead wrong on major factor. All you were doing was a humanitarian effort. Since the guy was obviously a major, the question of guardianship does not arise at all. Even if, he ran away from the hospital, your role would be limited to getting him to medical attention seeing that he was in distress.
I will give you both an A+ for effort and the willingness to help him.
Priya,
A sad experience! But is that not how each city these days is? You find those who are not able to take care of themselves and dont have anyone else to care for them in these states everywhere. And no one helps them. People are in fact scared of them and this turns into a vicious cycle keeping these poor souls in their sorry state forever!! It sure has pained me to see this sort of thing.
But it is actually heartening to see that the Police-the ones whom we criticize and belittle the most behaving in this decent manner. The other service organizations seem to be losing sight of their vision-to serve the needy in the daily affairs they get embroiled in.
I really am at a loss to know how this can improve.
Hi Priya,
my conscience also trembles me whenever i come across such situation and just another moment the fear of the consequence which “The Inspector” advices to u .
I move ahead being a common man. The situation repeats another day and I am the same guilty man.
It is true we all are caught with certain constraints. But it is to be noted that police are also poor guys.
Priya.. Its really a daring thing by sukumar to offer such a help of accompanying that man.. its a height of charity exhibited by him, considering his stature and position.. Its a commendable attitude by him..
But as the inspector said, its not a wise decision..
I have faced similar situations many times, and such experiences have always remained as a question to me for long.. Why these things happen in our society, and what is the solution? I am stilll finding the answer..
There are other incidents happening in big metros like, accidents happening in busy roads.. Every one would be busy with their schedules, thus moving immediately like a spectator against their conscience.. Some times it appears, the entire society is heartless.. but the reason is that there is no logistics or infrastructure existing to come to the rescue.. The lack of it, handicaps the entire society.. This is where, the role of the government is badly needed.. Private NGOs cannot affort to have the resources or means to do all these works themselves..
dont know what to get embarassed with….NGO attitude or red tapism coming in the way of humanity or willing but helpless people (like you or the cop)…
Swami – Thanks for your comment & kind words.
Shri – Thanks for your comment & kind words.
We’ve called “The Banyan” before, to help (female) victims or abandoned women. Banyan was prompt, though it took them a few hours to act. We simply called the traffic cop near the scene & that used to be sufficient.
Perhaps the police were tired of helping the guy numerous times, only to see him return to the streets in a fortnight. Perhaps he wanted someone to be “in charge” of him, so that he could be fully rehabilitated.
Was he a druggie? Maybe. But he was also mentally unhinged, no sane person looks like that. And you’re right, how does it matter whether he did drugs, he needed medical attention. That was denied to him.
Goofy – Thanks for your comment.
Yes, the police are much maligned. That’s not to say that there aren’t problems. But, I’ve had several pleasant interactions with them, where they’ve been polite, professional & understanding. Nothing sells like bad news, so only the negatives are highlighted.
Many people don’t help others because of apathy. Some are compassionate. They want to help, but don’t know what to do. Helping women, the aged or children, is relatively easier. People can make a note of NGOs that help the needy & the destitute in their city & call them when needed.
Helping men though seems to be a problem.
Sukumar/Priya, You guys have done more than what anyone else in your situation would have done. Given the influence and power you folks have, maybe you can give a thought as how you can leverage that to bring in the needed change in the society.
Rajesh – Thanks for your comment.
Not all stories end sadly, perhaps I should write about times when help was offered & the victim rescued. Perhaps we should collect & publish the organizations & numbers that can be called for assistance, in all major cities in India.
Kumaran – Thanks for your comment.
I think movies have done the police force great disservice, by consistently portraying them in the worst possible manner. How much this has contributed to the lawlessness of the country, I can’t fathom.
So much that every time we encounter decency & capability in a cop, we’re amazed.
Senthil – Yes, it was very, very kind of Sukumar. I don’t think stature or position in society are important though. In the end, we are all human beings & we have to look out for each other.
You ask a very important & pertinent question. Here is what I think, I could be wrong though.
As you correctly pointed out, in small towns more compassion is shown for the needy. I grew up in Thanjavur & I can quote many instances where the aged, the infirm, the mentally unstable & the trans-gendered were treated with a lot more kindness.
Indians still don’t know how to offer support in the modern context, when the old support systems have broken down. We are ignorant about the procedures to use – such as calling the police or the NGOs – to help others. So, we become insensitive to the plight of others. This makes us selfish & heartless.
The infrastructure hasn’t caught up either. Yes, how much can NGOs do?
But we can try our best to help. That’s the least we can do to other people.
RK – Thanks for your comment.
Galbraith called India a “Functioning Anarchy”. I think he was too kind, he should have simply called us “Dysfunctional”.
Though the end was bit of an anti-climax, your willingness to help and the effort you put are really commendable, Junior !!!
I remember Udhavum Karangal came to the rescue of an old lady deserted by her family near my house on a Sunday when I called them to do something. But again, that was several years ago.
anbudan
BALA
Came here through Bala’s RT. Thats an awful experience. Thanks for that chronicle.
Btw, I guess SCARF has a 24 hr helpline ?! not sure, though.
Bala – Thanks for your comment & kind words.
As Shrinath mentioned in his comment, maybe organizations are more willing to help women, the aged & children. Or perhaps, being a Sunday, an inexperienced person answered the phone. Its hard to say. I hope Udhavum Karangal has not lost its thirst to help people who really need them the most.
Chandrasekaran – Thanks for your comment.
And thanks – I need to learn more about SCARF & various other organizations in major metros in India. Perhaps as a follow-up to this post, we can publish the organizations & the category of people they serve.
Moving…! I think you deserve a lot of appreciation for trying this hard to help the ‘tramp’. Hats off. A coincidence….just a few hours back, I was wondering if NGOs are efficient on their own and whether we need some sort of – ironically – governing body or common process to help them pursue their services.
Thanks for putting this here.It does make a difference.Atleast so many of us have read it.
“Sitting ducks we are.We turn our heads.we shrug to each other.We just feel bad.We point fingers.But the truth is we ourselves are helpless.”
Twitter brought me here…
@jadespies
Nimmy – Thanks for your comment & kind words.
Sukumar is a lot more compassionate than me.
Interesting coincidence, indeed.
Rajesh – Thanks for your comment.
I hope to compile the contact details of various NGOs & share them in this BLOG. We may be helpless at times, but that need not prevent us from trying again. Or from being successful next time around.
Bravo Priya and Sukumar. You are absolutely right that big cities are kinda IBCD (Indian Born Confused Desi) they are not align with indian mainstream culture like helping others,affectionate etc. Great post
That was very, very kind of Sukumar. This world needs more men like him.
This post does come as an eye-opener for people like me who do not know what to do when we encounter such a situation. Thanks!
Subba – Thanks for your comment & kind words.
IBCD is a good term. Perhaps cities the world over have a culture of their own, that’s a tad different from the rest of the country?
Balaji – Thanks for your comment & kind words about Sukumar.
I’m glad that the post was helpful. Will try to provide some useful information in this site, on which organizations people can call for various humanitarian emergencies.
Raj – Thanks for your comment & kind words.
In your kindness, you over-estimate the power & influence we have. What we have is the will to help. But, your comment gives me an idea. Perhaps we can increase the awareness people have (at least people in the IT industry) about how to help the orphaned, the aged, the deranged & the destitute.
Thanks for the suggestion
It really made me think.
Priya,
Its not just about awareness.. but a form or organisational or institutional setup (whether centralised or decentralised), where we can channelise both communication and awareness about such social problems.
Secondly, we need to understand the problem to its root, and not just the plain surface..
I would like to specifically quote the following lines from this post..
/** If he runs away from the hospital or needs any kind of attention, you’ll be the 1st point of contact”. We looked at each other & our faces fell. We’ll become his guardians? We were not prepared for that. He was a stranger, he could be dangerous.
**/
The lesson that i learn from the above is, the atomization and anonymity of humans in cities is one of the root cause of such plights.. Lack of relations, lack of social networks, disconnects one from the society. Thus he becomes stranger to even the neighbours.
Community living is one of the remedies for such social setups. There is a statistics which i read long back.
In india, the communities which have strong networking within them, do not have beggars or destitutes. Whereas, those communities which collapses, leads to beggars and other anti-social elements.
The brahmins in the past had a strong social networks, among themselves, and also with other communities, due to the traditional profession. That’s why, they sailed through intense anti-brahminism, and now prospered. The community network helped them to support each other. But sadly, today, they had lost their roots, and became refugees in metros and cities.
Other forward communities, like Naidus and pillais too lost their base.
we a group of youths, tried to restore that community networking through kula temples, and we are partly successful. I came to know of the closest relatives through my kula temple, which i did not know so far. Now i regularly participate in temple activities along with my relatives.
I strongly feel, strengthening the old social systems, is one of the ways to prevent such social issues. Because, if we allow this breaking of the communities, everyone one will become strangers to other.
Priya & Sukumar,
Kudos to both of you for even attempting to do something like this. It shows that you just do not talk about compassion and moral responsibility, but try and live it too. Frankly, I do not know if I would have done the same in your place.
I guess this shows that personal, NGO and government organizations responsibility has to be a continuum. I do not think you should not have been put in a spot to drive that individual to a hospital. NGO and Government organizations must step in. Why should you have to call the NGO. The cop should have had a list of such places to call. if that does not work out, a government ambulance should have come to take the person in. I understand that this is wishful thinking. And perhaps in a weird pragmatic way, this is of less importance, when India as a country has bigger issues to deal with. But, when the value of one individual/life is assumed to be less than another, it eats at you somewhere deep inside.
Priya,
Good attempt by both of infact.Infact from what i ever little i know of Sukumar I wouldnt have expected anything less from him.
In my opinion most of NGOs work only for publicty or for money.It very very difficult to find a good reasonable organisation these days.I have worked along with some for a year.I have seen many more when i was working for my previous organisation in Orissa.After these i feel disillusioned and defeated.Even during Tsunami’s i came across of a couple of NGO’s who were trading charity for religion( I dont want to the name the NGO or the relegion as this discussion will lead to something unwarranted ).Its hearting to see atleast Banyan reacted.
The only NGO which is prompt is Blue cross as they do their best animals.We are yet to find a Blue Cross for Human Beings.If it does exists ,then it is working without pubicity.
Priya,
Good attempt by both of you .It was really nice of you to think about an unknown man lying on the road.As a matter of fact from whatever little I know of Sukumar ,I wouldnt have expected anything less from him.
Very few NGO’s are sincere these days.They work for publicty , money or religion.It extremely rare to find a good social organisation these days.I have worked with some and interacted with many while working for my previous company in Orissa . Some bitter experiences made me feell disillusioned and defeated with all of these including UNICEF..Even during Tsunami’s i came across of a couple of NGO’s who were trading charity for religion( I dont want to the name the NGO or the relegion as this will lead to an unwarranted discussion ).Its heartening to see some reaction from Banyan It does show that some of then are sincere but are still bureaucratic and rule based,
IMHO the only NGO which is prompt in its response is the Blue cross .They do their best for that are hurt or sick..We are yet to find a Blue Cross for Human Beings.If they does exist ,then they are working without pubicity and fanfare
Ganesh – Thanks for your comment & kind words. Had you been in our position, I’m sure you would have done the same thing.
Every process in India is fragmented. No one thinks about integrating the processes of the police with the ambulance or the NGOs. No one even thinks about overhauling the inefficient processes within the same department. Which is why NGOs look attractive to people, but how much can they scale?
One of the most pressing problems in a country like India, must be its abject poverty, homelessness, abandoned people etc. If they don’t get the attention – and the Chief Minister spends state funds by donating free TVs – what can we say about the government?
Karthik – Thanks for your comment & kind words.
Its really sad to hear that many NGOs have lost their bearings, focusing instead on money & fame. “Udhavum Karangal”, for e.g. – doesn’t have a license to give their children up for adoption. What’s the best thing for a child – living as an orphan in “Udhavum Karangal” or living with caring adoptive parents & grand-parents?
Banyan does seem better, I’ve had some positive interactions with them. Perhaps we should have called SCARF, as Chandrasekaran pointed out.
Priya many a times we face such situations.It’s obvious from your words that how kind ya are…
You and Sukumar are really great people,who always remains to be our role models…
Glad to see ya writing after a very long time…Write often(usual request)…
So Priya when are we gonna read your book?(an usual ques)
Priya,
I hope, the following link would interest you very much..
http://www.vatsalyagram.org/what-is-vatsalyagram
Its a unique project in the world, where orphan children and destitute women are brought together, so that both can support each other. The orphaned children will have mothers, and the destitute women will have children to love and care. Its an excellent concept by the sanyasini.
This also proves that exclusivity of ideas will not solve any problem.. Having separate orphanage and separate destitute women’s home may give survival needs of the beneficiaries, but other factors like emotional needs etc are being overlooked..
We need such kind of innovative models which would alleviate the problems of anonymity, and would make every one a relative to some one else.
One such idea i am having is to part away with current model of schooling, and in turn, evolve a composite school, where a part of school premises would be used to shelter old people, so that school’s resources, can be shared for a noble cause. It would create an opportunity for the school staffs and students to take care of the elders on rotational basis.
Thanks for the kind words Senthil, Ganesh, Karthik, Raj, Annapoorani, Swami, Shrinath, Nimmy, Subba, Balaji.
As Priya said above, we just did what any of you would have done in our place. What is really sad is that we had to leave the man on the street.
SCARF is a good suggestion. Thanks Chandrasekaran.
Sukumar and Priya, I could not write anything after I read this post few days back. I was shocked beyond words. Please advice how I can help – monetarily or otherwise. I will do my best.
Regards, Vamsi
A very similar incident a few days back near lighthouse train station. A man lay dying for days and daily passengers doing nothing but pass by. tried desparately with some NGOs and police for some help.Rules and more rules to create roadblocks. the experience has made me numb.
Annapoorani – Thanks for your comment & kind words. We did what anyone would have done in our circumstances.
I have a flair for getting into an endless chakkar of working my back off. My business is keeping me busy even on weekends. Hope to write more often. Book – perhaps when I retire
Senthil – Thanks for the link. Its an excellent idea – solving the problem while remembering we are human beings with emotional needs. If we donate some money to an orphanage, yes – their day-to-day needs will be met. But, what about their need to be loved?
I like your idea of a school that supports the elderly. Perhaps the school & the home for elders can be close to each other. From my personal experience, having children take care of young animals & tending to gardens also helps & builds character. A life lived simply, focusing on values & others.
Vamsi – Thanks for your comment & offer of support.
I think we need to find worthy NGOs that do good work in major metros. We can publish that list in this BLOG. If you do know of such NGOs in Hyderabad, please let us know.
Kaushik – Thanks for your comment.
Its really sad that you had a similar experience. Its bad enough that we have so many homeless & mentally impaired people. Added to that is the sad fact of life – many Indians in metros are too benumbed to pay attention to these people. Adding insult to injury, even when we want to help them, the stupid system fails us.
Couple of weeks back I was waiting to board the bus to office, when I noticed a crow limping across the road. Many vehicles whizzed past, and I could only pray that it doesn’t get killed.
It was inching towards the pavement where vehicles are being parked. It was still not out of danger of being hit by vehicles. I remembered the SPCA I learnt about as a young boy. I didn’t have the number. But I had the JustDial contact. Dialled them. Asked for SPCA. The operator couldn’t understand. It then struck me – I could ask for Blue Cross. I did and got a couple of Blue Cross hospital numbers. Atleast one of them was in Velachery and I was standing at KK Nagar (Chennai). I doubted anyone would come all the way and tend the crow – still I tried. No one to pick the phone.
I saw the bus approaching. I had to board it. The crow was still on the road and I didn’t feel like carrying it with my hands (didn’t have a way of cleaning it immediately after) to safety. Just then I decided to use the umbrella I was carrying to try and shoo the crow to the side of the road. One more good soul who came by a TVS 50, helped me.
The crow tried to pick my umbrella end but budged.
I boarded the bus, hoping for the crow to survive.
—-
I just remembered this while reading your post, Priya. Appreciate your concern for the guy on the street.
I think Mother Teresa’s Little Sisters of the Poor cares for people like him.