Life Means so Little

I have discussed many times how the loss of a life in India doesn't seem to have the same value as it does in the western world.  Of course, lives do have the same value but the shock and amazement at the loss of life is not as great as it is at home - or so it seems.  When accidents occur due to bad roads, unroadworthy vehicles, drunk drivers, speed, suicide, floods, building collapses  etc, the reaction is not of horror and methods to avoid it in the future - it is just another story and we all move on.  In Australia, the reaction would be serious and a plan in place to avoid it in the future.

In an article I read this week a man was killed over 2 rupees ! That is the equivalent of $0.04 AUD.  The victim, a young 24 year old, stopped at cycle shop to pump up the tyres on his bicycle and the owner then asked for 2 rupees as charge for the tyres being inflated.  The young man said he didn't have the money and therefore couldn't pay.

A fight broke out between the men, and a friend of the shop owner intervened and hit the young boy over the head with a metal rod.   I mean seriously, is that a normal and valid response for 2 rupees?  The young man was rushed to hospital by a passersby but he succumbed to the injuries later that night.  Or as it is reported here - he 'expired' and 'is no more'.  The man who hit him is now in hiding.

I just can't get used to these stories - this is just one of many that I read daily.