Eunuchs
A not so uncommon sight on long-distance trains are the Eunuchs literally extorting money from the passengers, their specific target being youngsters. In case of beggars, people just shoo them away but that is not the case with eunuchs. They have to be paid and not just Rs.1-2. They need a minimum of 10 rupees. If you are not willing to spare that then you might well get a kiss from them. To avoid such embarrassment, you better give in to their requests(rather threats).
On my last trip, one of the passengers who was with me in the next seat, started babbling at the very sight of eunuchs.
"The train authorities should be doing something about these eunuchs",
"I think even they are abbeting this extortion",
"These eunuchs are getting money for free"
and above all he started doing some calculation as to how much they might be earning in a day.
If the eunuchs had the same opportunity that others have, their state wouldn't have been that of today. Had there been no discrimination against them in any field they wouldn't have to resort to the things they are doing now. Actually, we are the ones who are responsible for leaving them in such a crippled state and so we have no right to grumble when we have to give them some money. Begging or extorting is not the way they should be going around living their life and that we shoudln't be encouraging that way of life. We shouldnt be gushing about they extorting money; on the other hand, we should be emotive about the perception of eunuchs in the society. We should aim at changing the outlook towards eunuchs and the task would be more difficult than forcing people to accept gay marriages.
On one of my trips to Pune on the Ahimsa Express from Ahmedabad, there were only two people sitting on a three-seater bench and I was one of them. So there was a seat vacant near me. There was a bunch of eunuchs standing next to me. They had completed their rounds and were counting their money. One of them was talking on a cellular phone and they were speaking tamil. I happened to know a bit of tamil which helped me in deciphering what they were talking. One of them wanted to sit on the vacant seat next to me. Just then, another one from them muttered that you will scaring that boy if you sit next to him, so better stand.
That incident painted a picture of the way eunuchs look upon themselves. They themselves have accepted the way people treat them and even though they know they don't want to frighten somebody, it is etched in their minds that they look frightening. That underlines the fact that granting them equal rights and envisioning a society with no distinction towards eunuchs is all the more difficult, if not near impossible.
What should I do the next time a eunuch asks me money? Should I be apathetic and give in to them resigning to the conclusion that one person alone cannot bring any difference to them or try to explain to them seemingly crazy to the outside world. Hmmm...
On my last trip, one of the passengers who was with me in the next seat, started babbling at the very sight of eunuchs.
"The train authorities should be doing something about these eunuchs",
"I think even they are abbeting this extortion",
"These eunuchs are getting money for free"
and above all he started doing some calculation as to how much they might be earning in a day.
If the eunuchs had the same opportunity that others have, their state wouldn't have been that of today. Had there been no discrimination against them in any field they wouldn't have to resort to the things they are doing now. Actually, we are the ones who are responsible for leaving them in such a crippled state and so we have no right to grumble when we have to give them some money. Begging or extorting is not the way they should be going around living their life and that we shoudln't be encouraging that way of life. We shouldnt be gushing about they extorting money; on the other hand, we should be emotive about the perception of eunuchs in the society. We should aim at changing the outlook towards eunuchs and the task would be more difficult than forcing people to accept gay marriages.
On one of my trips to Pune on the Ahimsa Express from Ahmedabad, there were only two people sitting on a three-seater bench and I was one of them. So there was a seat vacant near me. There was a bunch of eunuchs standing next to me. They had completed their rounds and were counting their money. One of them was talking on a cellular phone and they were speaking tamil. I happened to know a bit of tamil which helped me in deciphering what they were talking. One of them wanted to sit on the vacant seat next to me. Just then, another one from them muttered that you will scaring that boy if you sit next to him, so better stand.
That incident painted a picture of the way eunuchs look upon themselves. They themselves have accepted the way people treat them and even though they know they don't want to frighten somebody, it is etched in their minds that they look frightening. That underlines the fact that granting them equal rights and envisioning a society with no distinction towards eunuchs is all the more difficult, if not near impossible.
What should I do the next time a eunuch asks me money? Should I be apathetic and give in to them resigning to the conclusion that one person alone cannot bring any difference to them or try to explain to them seemingly crazy to the outside world. Hmmm...
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