Peace ambassadors or just beggars?
Ashutosh Sharma
Tribune News Service
Jammu, April 24
Union is strength… they say it, but this trio of child beggars practices it in reality. Their picture perfect presents communal harmony, particularly in the aftermath of Amaranth land row that divided the state on communal lines. Their unity has become a common sight at the main chowk of RS Pura, near bus stand, their favorite turf.
From left: Nabi, Sonu and Bulli
The group comprises a girl called Bulli, her brother Nabi (both Muslims), and a Hindu boy, Sonu. They have been doing their job collectively and peacefully for the past six months.
The Hindu boy lives in a nearby temple while the Muslim children live in the Peer Baba shrine, both places of worship are located at a close distance to each other. So they keep frequenting each other’s place of living without inhibitions.
This trio moves out in the morning, collect alms and savour eatables and soft drinks together in the afternoon.
However, they had an unusual spat with each other last week. “A baraat was passing by and a baraati gave us a note of Rs 10,” Bulli puts in when asked as to how good was their friendship. Bulli added naively, “Dividing Rs 10 between three persons is not an easy task. After getting Rs 3 each neither Nabi nor Sonu was ready to give up an extra rupee.”
Boys were quick to add, “We started to quarrel openly in the bazaar…. and don’t ask what happened after that… it brought us wide condemnation from all.”
“So we realised that friendship is more important than money and I picked up the Rs 10 note from Nabi’s cloak and threw it,” Sonu said.
A local shopkeeper, however, said, “Don’t regard their mellow talking, these little monsters have frustrated the entire market. Whichever shop they stand before, it soon wears a deserted look.”
“It’s a business for Bangladeshis to keep on breeding children and spill them over to the roads for begging,” he mumbled and went off.
(http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090425/jkplus.htm#10)
Ashutosh Sharma
Tribune News Service
Jammu, April 24
Union is strength… they say it, but this trio of child beggars practices it in reality. Their picture perfect presents communal harmony, particularly in the aftermath of Amaranth land row that divided the state on communal lines. Their unity has become a common sight at the main chowk of RS Pura, near bus stand, their favorite turf.
From left: Nabi, Sonu and Bulli
Union is strength… they say it, but this trio of child beggars practices it in reality. Their picture perfect presents communal harmony, particularly in the aftermath of Amaranth land row that divided the state on communal lines. Their unity has become a common sight at the main chowk of RS Pura, near bus stand, their favorite turf.
The group comprises a girl called Bulli, her brother Nabi (both Muslims), and a Hindu boy, Sonu. They have been doing their job collectively and peacefully for the past six months.
The Hindu boy lives in a nearby temple while the Muslim children live in the Peer Baba shrine, both places of worship are located at a close distance to each other. So they keep frequenting each other’s place of living without inhibitions.
This trio moves out in the morning, collect alms and savour eatables and soft drinks together in the afternoon.
However, they had an unusual spat with each other last week. “A baraat was passing by and a baraati gave us a note of Rs 10,” Bulli puts in when asked as to how good was their friendship. Bulli added naively, “Dividing Rs 10 between three persons is not an easy task. After getting Rs 3 each neither Nabi nor Sonu was ready to give up an extra rupee.”
Boys were quick to add, “We started to quarrel openly in the bazaar…. and don’t ask what happened after that… it brought us wide condemnation from all.”
“So we realised that friendship is more important than money and I picked up the Rs 10 note from Nabi’s cloak and threw it,” Sonu said.
A local shopkeeper, however, said, “Don’t regard their mellow talking, these little monsters have frustrated the entire market. Whichever shop they stand before, it soon wears a deserted look.”
“It’s a business for Bangladeshis to keep on breeding children and spill them over to the roads for begging,” he mumbled and went off.
(http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090425/jkplus.htm#10)
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