Our country has an overwhelming number of people who suffer from poverty. It forces them to take up jobs which are physically and mentally challenging. While some people might just see the strength of manual labourers, they fail to recognise the desperation which is unfortunately caused due to their financial situation.
I say this because one Twitter user posted a video of a poor man carrying a heavy bike on his head and climbing a ladder to put it on top of a bus. She lauded the man for his strength and called India “incredible”.
India is absolutely incredible…so much strength in such a small frame! pic.twitter.com/zm4R5cjT4w
— Dr. Ajayita (@DoctorAjayita) January 22, 2021
But for many people online, the video did not highlight strength. Instead, it highlighted poverty, desperation, and life-threatening manual labour. They instantly asked the Twitter user and those alike to stop glorifying poverty.
I’m not proud of this, it just shows how difficult life is for some people that they have to endanger themselves everyday to feed stomachs.
Also, how much this person would have been paid for this perilous task? I don’t think more than 100 rupees …. :/
— Richie (@RichaShankar2) January 24, 2021
What kind of person watches a man perform dangerous, physically damaging labor and thinks it reflects well on the nation? Incredible India.
— Sonia Sikka (@SoniaSikka4) January 24, 2021
And most of them die while fighting poverty and talent sleeps with them in grave. What a pornographic glorification of poverty by our modern day intellectual 👏
— Syed Masih (@MohdMasih3) January 24, 2021
One should be ashamed of this beacuse system has failed in providing him a safe & dignified livelihood.
Not so incredible!— Dr.B.R.Chikte (@AnIndia69354670) January 24, 2021
imaging watching this video and coming to any conclusion other than that the poor are exploited beyond belief to do such extreme labour just to survive
can you imagine reaching a point of desperation where this is what he’s willing to do
— lavanthikha (@yvettegrac) January 24, 2021
No. Not incredible. This is modern day slavery. He will be paid a pittance for his work. This is what he needs to do in order for him and his family to survive.
Please note that poverty & malnutrition have been rising since last few years & will continue to do so.— Rupi Kaur (@RupiSpeaks) January 24, 2021
What is incredible in this…it is actually shameful on the society and the government that people still have to do such super dangerous work for living
— Whatsinaname (@Whatsin04988600) January 23, 2021
What is incredible in this? Tryingb to earn his daily bread at the expense of his life don’t glorify poverty..
— Arunprasad (@arun_srmcp) January 24, 2021
There is nothing incredible in poverty. Let’s start seeing things for what they are.