Hello everyone,
Welcome back to The Aiikyam Journal.
As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, I had planned to share my perspective on perspective, an idea I first explored during my college years. It’s a topic that lends itself to rational analysis, but this week has been different. I’ve found myself grappling with deeper, more emotional questions about my being and it’s essence. Amidst this internal wrestling match, my instinct was to seek solace at home.
In such moments of introspection, I often prefer public transportation over a private cab. While a cab might offer comfort for reading or sleeping, public transport provides a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the human experience. Over the years, I’ve had countless meaningful encounters during these journeys โ conversations that have brought comfort, hope, and even unexpected connections.
This time, however, my journey home was different. It brought me face-to-face with a poignant truth about the human condition, one that transcends material wealth and speaks to the essence of our shared struggles. It’s a truth about mental or cognitive poverty, a form of deprivation that can affect us all, regardless of our socioeconomic status.
As I boarded the bus from Manesar, squeezing into a space near the back, my eyes were immediately drawn to a small child seated on the engine cover. His eyes bulged slightly, his head elongated, his movements suggesting a kind of unawareness with the world around him. A genetic disorder, perhaps? Beside him sat a woman, her face gaunt, her bone structure starkly visible, and two other children, all barefoot and visibly undernourished.
My heart sank as questions flooded my mind. Why? Why this stark contrast in human existence? We dream of colonising Mars and indulging in space tourism, yet here were children navigating scorching concrete without even the protection of sandals. The juxtaposition was jarring, a painful reminder of the vast disparities that exist within our society.
As I grappled with this disquiet, a young boy, barely older than a toddler, boarded the bus. A small drum clutched in his hand, he moved from passenger to passenger, eyes downcast, silently pleading for spare change. A wave of sadness washed over me. Had we normalised this? Had the sight of children begging at traffic signals become so commonplace that it no longer stirred our compassion?
The bus rumbled on, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. What systems, what institutions, have we put in place to address such profound inequality? How have we allowed such stark contrasts to persist in our society?
At Rajiv Chowk, the conductor announced a free transfer for passengers heading to Iffco Chowk onto another bus parked ahead. This was likely a common practice to save time and resources, as passengers from that bus, headed towards the Gurugram Bus Stand, boarded ours. The family I had been observing, however, remained on the curb after disembarking.The conductor, perhaps recalling their destination, instructed them to board the other bus bound for Iffco Chowk. Yet, they hesitated, confusion evident on their faces. Whether due to a language barrier, a lack of understanding, or perhaps a fear of questioning authority, they remained rooted to the spot instead of boarding the connecting bus, despite having already paid for their journey to Iffco Chowk.
I watched through the window as they eventually hailed an auto-rickshaw, their already strained finances further burdened by this unexpected expense. It wasn’t just their material poverty that struck me; it was a deeper kind of poverty, one that extended to their cognitive landscape.
This cognitive poverty, a lack of awareness and agency, prevented them from understanding their rights, from questioning a system that had inadvertently wronged them. It was a stark reminder that poverty isn’t just about financial resources; it’s about access to information, education, and the tools to navigate a complex world.
This encounter ignited a renewed sense of urgency within me. It forced me to question the systems we have in place to address such crucial human issues. Some might point to education as the solution, but the reality is far more complex.
A significant portion of school-age children never even step foot in a classroom, whether due to lack of awareness, financial constraints, or cultural barriers. And even for those who do attend school, doubts linger about the quality of education they receive. Are we truly equipping them with the cognitive tools to think critically, question the status quo, advocate for themselves, and make informed choices?
My own observations during a field visit to Jaisalmer cast further doubt on the effectiveness of our current education system. I met students who, having delayed their entry into the workforce due to schooling, were now ridiculed for their lack of practical skills. Despite their education, they were forced into the same backbreaking labor as their peers, only now at a disadvantage due to lost time and opportunity.
It’s clear that relying solely on traditional education to empower individuals is not enough. We need a more holistic approach, one that addresses the root causes of cognitive poverty and provides individuals with the tools they need to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
This journey home served as a stark reminder that the battle against poverty is not solely an economic one. It is a fight for cognitive liberation, for the right of every individual to possess the mental tools and agency to shape their own destiny. It is a fight against the silent epidemic of powerlessness that can rob people of their dignity and potential, even in the absence of material deprivation.
As we navigate a world teeming with distractions and temptations, let us not forget the faces of those who are not only financially impoverished but also cognitively marginalised. Let us strive to create a society where education is not just about rote learning, but about empowering minds to think critically, question assumptions, and make informed choices. Let us build a world where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to discover their full potential and live a life of purpose and meaning.
This is the true path to onenessโa world where everyone has the power to choose their own destiny, free from the chains of ignorance and the shackles of cognitive poverty.
Warmly,
Ashish Singh Panchal
