We, the people in opposition to We, the farmers?

This is somewhat commonplace; you are stranded in an hour long traffic-jam. You want to reach the location of an important meeting, but there are literally hundreds of vehicles in stand-still situation.

What is not so ordinary is the reason of traffic-jam; onion farmers in a huge protest walk peacefully with placards. They are trying to draw attention to their plight. The farmers want the ban on onion export quashed.  

  

Now reactions to this situation were disorientated. I was trying to find out what was happening and why it was so. Suddenly I heard, ‘these bloody farmers! They need to go out of our way.’ Not surprisingly it was frustrated declaration from one of the ultra rich guys driving an expensive, fancy car. 

I was taken aback and started thinking. Not by the delay but by the expletive reaction of ‘supposedly rich, educated, and urbane folks’. The farmers are facing one of the worst crises continuously in general and devastating in this particular case. 

The annadata, the farmer, not working in 'five days-a-week & and great weekend' but almost all the time, is staring at nastiest situations and trying to find out solutions. Those who cannot see any positivity, commit suicide. Some are living under duress. Others opt to migrate to the cities. The slum areas are swelling.

And we just cannot wish away the reality.       

There is a peaceful protest; agreed,roads are closed for some time.And you start shouting and abusing. Is it most horrible manifestation of ‘us versus them’ or ‘India versus Bharat’ syndrome? I don’t know. 

I don’t have any shred of resolution. I am neither agricultural expert nor an extraordinary economist. 

Last year total onion produce was 145 lakh tons. This year it would be 151 lakh tons. There was delay in implementing the ban on export last year. The rates per kg were 70-80 rs. So on these accounts, last Friday Central Government decided to ban the export of onions; early in the season.   

However there are repercussions all over. The predicament is that this will not benefit the farmers. Nor the consumers. It is the nexus of traders and middlemen who gains ultimately; much to the chagrin of farmers.

Invariably the politicians, ministers need to ‘not play dirty tricks’ and genuinely look in to the matter and do something constructive, instead.  

Precaution and prevention is better than cure

Just think about this awful situation. God forbid, if your near and dear ones, especially the elders are faced with any security threat, the police may not be able help them. 

National Crime Records Bureau has published a report about the state of law and order in the states. It says in Maharashtra alone 320 senior citizens were killed in 2009-10. There were 104 ladies out of these. 

The numbers of crimes perpetrated against senior citizens are also on rise in other states of India.  

The report also observes that even if the senior citizens were to go to police department for help and to complain, they are not properly treated or paid attention to. 

Alarmingly National Crime Records Bureau, in another report has claimed that from 2006 to 2010 there were almost 21000 crime cases involving police personnel!  Beating, rapes, extortion, underworld nexus, disproportionate assets with respect to income, false encounters, and ineffective investigations – everything is there in the list.    

On one side Maharashtra is considered to be one of the most progressive states. There is good development and per capita GDP is high. And so on. 

However if the government and police department is not able to secure the lives of the senior citizens, it is despicable state of affairs. This is basic minimum duty of the government and police department. And let's not even talk about the repeated bomb blasts and terror strikes! It is a completely different and equally important topic.     

God knows when will the state government go ahead with police reforms - salary, working conditions, advanced weaponry and gadgets for the police department.Certainly there is lot of scope for improvement.    

  

On the solution side I think all of us should have a constant vigilance. The senior citizens can come together and associate to take care of themselves. Even Non-Governmental Organizations can play vital role.