It’s scorching noon in Chennai and the sun’s wrath has never been worse this year. The tarred roads are at least fifteen degrees hotter than ambient and conjure up mirages like nobody’s business, making the scene look more like a stylised painting. But in it you can see spots of red, orange, green and black going up and down the street without any care of the punishing heat. These are our very own food-delivery agents parading their brand-specific t-shirts. The craziest thing is these shirts are often worn on top of another layer, protecting them from sweat so they can be worn for a day more. Now, imagine wearing two layers in 42 degree weather (feels like 50, as per Google) with the sun resolute to cook you alive. These guys, most of them young, ride around delivering lunches from restaurants to people’s homes and offices like it’s a walk in the park. Most don’t care to wear even a cap on top of their baking heads.
The number of jobs tech has created in recent times is commendable and much needed too. A never ceasing population growth needs any and all means of job creation. There is no room to think about ‘human rights’ or ‘the environment’ when the scramble for survival is very real. Marriage and baby-making is sacred though; it’s something every man and woman is expected to get done or die trying. Wait, did you just think about population control?! Oh, snap! You’re a villain now.
These days, in Chennai at least, there is a new distinction between jobs - is the work environment air-conditioned or not? This is why jobs at malls and showrooms are so highly sought after among less privileged youth. Cab-ride apps have made way for another air-conditioned workspace, aka cars. There is no sign of summers getting any cooler, so, hopefully, more workplaces will become climate-controlled. However, there still will be some poor souls that will have to brave the horrible sun.
But, what determines who is hung out to dry? Is it intelligence? Character? Discipline? Grit?
Nope, it’s just plain fate.
The foremost reason we are where we are is fate.
You might argue that it’s through hard work and determination that you made it to where you are now; but, in a roundabout way, that argument also means the people who aren’t as successful are not working hard and/or are not determined enough. As far as I can see, these delivery agents are hard-working and hella determined to make a buck; but if just brain-work qualifies, then maybe the scales are a bit skewed. You might not be at fault for thinking that the grades at school and the appraisals at work are the testaments of one’s value. It is the result of the system put in place to choose the right candidates for particular kinds of tasks. It’s the same for a plethora of professions and trades where you just have to be good at certain things to get the job done right. However, it’s only human to attach elevated meanings to these scores and distinctions.
As far as such competitive evaluation systems give you positive energy and the spirit of ambition, it’s great! However, being completely unaware that the majority out there who haven’t even had the privilege to know that such things exist, is very much like an American team claiming they are ‘World Champions’ in ‘American’ Football! Joking aside, being aware of the people of the world and their predicaments helps us stay grounded and less lost in out our own bubble-worlds. It can prevent us from falling into the trap of prejudice and baseless discrimination.
In a world where ‘globalisation’ has such a positive connotation, only trade, money and workers have really crossed borders; and maybe some refugees too. Fresh hatred and fear are being sowed for political ambitions while old biases grow ever stronger. For most of us, all the chaos is overwhelming and we cocoon ourselves, focusing more on our work, our family and our future. But one natural crisis, one mistake on the road, one late cab at night or one random misfortune (*touch wood* to all of those!) could burst the bubble in a second and reality will stare us right in the face. Only the residual humanity left in our society will come to the rescue.
It could only do us good to think also about the fellow man.
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