by Shobhit Jain (D-159; 9871333844)
Upon you recent visit to the Kanchenjunga market in sector 53 you might have noticed a unique feature. Near the main entrance there is a wooden wall with shelves that have some clothes in them. Above the wall there is a board that says “Neki Ki Deewar” which translates to the “Wall of Righteousness”. And below it there is a message which says that whatever you have in excess, leave here and whatever you need you can take it from here.
This is a very novel step taken by the market association to help the economically weaker section of the society wherein we can leave out clothes, shoes and pretty much anything t hat we do not require anymore and the needy can pick them up. A perfect idea one would say. But off late if you would have noticed the wall is filled to the brim with clothes. So much so that they are literally falling on the ground and even the railing next to the wall is covered with clothes. It seems people are generously donating things but the needy aren’t picking them up. You would ask why? Well I also had the same question and one day I asked a rickshaw puller standing outside the market in a torn shirt waiting for his next ride as to why wouldn’t he pick up a shirt from the rack. There were dozens of them and he clearly needed one. The reply he gave me really touched me. He said that “I may be poor but I also have self respect”. He told me that one day he went to the wall but when he was about to take something he felt like he was stealing. He felt like a thief just picking up the stuff. He further added that if someone comes and directly gives him something he gladly accepts it but his self respect did not allow him to just pick up the clothes. This made me think deeper and something came to my mind which I thought of sharing.
Along with “Neki Ki Deewar” there should also be a “ Atma-samman Ki Deewar” meaning the “wall of self respect”. The market association can take a little extra effort and sort the clothes and get them laundered. These can be then placed on the new wall of self respect and from here the needy can take the clothes but not for free. They can pay anything they like for the clothes. The amount may be anything ranging from rupees two to five to ten. Whatever the person feels comfortable. The collected money can be used for washing the ironing the clothes. This way the excess things will reach the needy and at the same time they can hold their head high as their self respect won’t be hurt and they can proudly say that they have paid for the clothes with their hard earned money. Food for thought.
