Over the past year, many good samaritans have been making use of social media to gather support for flute sellers, street vendors and artists who are struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic. These stories have been such an inspiration as they show that kindness makes the world go around. However, some stories remain just a social media mention without causing real change.
Recently, retired IAS officer Anil Swarup shared an undated photo of a kid studying on the roadside with a shoe polisher who is presumably his father and people called him out for romanticizing poverty.
Wow. This child will travel some distance. God bless him. pic.twitter.com/QrJiEFOmWR
— Anil Swarup (@swarup58) May 28, 2021
They argued that while the kid’s dedication is worth appreciating, it is “shameful” to “idealize” the struggles of the needy.
There is nothing in the picture to say ‘wow’ !
It simply reflects the sorry state of affairs particularly in education sector in our country.— Kharkhowa Kokai (@Kharkhowa_01) May 29, 2021
Struggle of poor is entertainment for the privileged.
— Luffy (@SuvsisK) May 28, 2021
Isn’t it such a shame that our future has to study like this. It’s courageous on his part but it raises question on our part. We can just run away by glorifying his courage. What will happen if his father can’t earn sufficiently then the child will leave education and work??
— Deepak Kumar (@im_mrflirty) May 28, 2021
Not wow it’s unfortunate that child’s has to go through this conditions for study.
— jubair ahmed (@jubaira61397501) May 28, 2021
In a country where Right to Education is a fundamental right. https://t.co/0RQRn9lgD9
— Subhasish (@_SubhasishBarua) May 28, 2021
How fucked up this country is
When a former bureaucrat can't see the difference between struggle & poverty.Stop romanticising poverty. https://t.co/GD2WiY4Kd4
— vanderwaal (@kochikamikaze) May 28, 2021
India is a failed state bcos Indians have this awful tendency of romanticizing poverty. Shameful. https://t.co/pBDE5kqCkU
— Carpe (@Carpediemvinci) May 28, 2021
He is not going to travel any distance. After few years he have to drop his study to support poor family or bcs fees of coaching institutions for any course are too much out of his reach. Don’t woww to this. Go and help him or kids like him.
— Gourav (@SweetKmina) May 28, 2021
This picture depicits the sad reality of a failed system – a country which forgets its poor. This must be fixed, not applauded.
— semeern n (@SemeerNharakkat) May 28, 2021
I have seen such images in reality multiple times. But hardly anyone was able to travel that far. Its just an isolated image. We cant conclude anything. These pics are good as eg of motivation but in reality, these families need more than just a mention in social media.
— Pavan K.Tiwari (@iPavanTiwari) May 28, 2021
It’s shameful for us as a country to valorize these images. This should be a right not an exception to be exalted.
— Erica Diya Basu, PhD (@ericadiyabasu) May 28, 2021
I don’t think dis picture needs an applause. As a retired IAS you must be critical on d state of child labour depicted in dis picture. Why do they go only some distance,, why not go miles. Stop being so obscurant of depicting one sided accentuation of dis grim reality.
— navin nirala (@navinnirala11) May 28, 2021
What are your thoughts on the matter? Tell us.