You Poor? How lucky!!!

Sometime last week, there was one more report about Indians being targeted in Australia. That's no news!! I know!! I am up to date Ladies and Gentlemen!!. What caused an uproar was because of one Mr Overland, the Chief of Police, Victoria. His advice to the great Indian diaspora caused quite an uproar among Indians in Australia. He asked the Indian students to 'look poor'. No display of gadgets, no jewelery, try looking as poor as one can. To deter attacks, transform yourself to tramps and beggars!!

Whats the big deal? Common!! why take the man's statements wrong? Don't you all know being poor is the new hip thing around town nowadays? Just look around you. It is cool to be poor!! Everyone is endorsing it. Wealth and poverty are not the same as you think, anymore.

A friend of mine invested around 10000 INR in a bicycle; to commute to work. The humble bicycle once used by postmen and milkmen is being used by CEOs and elite rich to commute. My milkmen has got a cool 120 cc motorcycle now!!

With our politicians chanting 'austerity' as their new mantra, trains and buses have become their favorite mode of transport. And if they fly, its the 'cattle class'...ooops!!! I mean the economy class.

And yes, does anyone remember cotton or khadi being a symbol of working class? Just go try buying a pure cotton dress. I bet you can't measure how big it makes a hole in your pocket. And yeah, not to forget the extra money you need to splurge to maintain the cloth. It costs Rs 25 to wash, starch and iron a cotton Saree!! Its better to leave cotton alone for the rich!

And how does a millionaire want his house to be? House made of bamboo, thatched roof....Nah!! not such houses where the ceiling would look if it pours!! With cooking utensils being earthen wares, made of clay! Don't believe me? Walk into a posh high-end restaurant and see what they serve the food in. The earthy earthen utensils, which are cheap to afford; have been transformed as a substance of sophistication and projected as an affectation.

My grandma had large collection of brass and copper vessels which she used to cook. Off late, I don't see them being used by any poor folks, but is a display which decorates designer homes and bathrooms! They are sold at exorbitant prices as antiques.

And the food? Gruel; the humble food made with coarse grains only; staple food of the poorer folks are the staple health food of the rich and the swanky. Unpolished rice, grains, cereals.....are all packed in glamorous packets and sold in super markets as health food.


Image from www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/tramps.Html

Hmmm....so all typical characteristics of poverty has become a symbol of status and suave for the elite. So are you not lucky if you are poor? Think!!