Yesterday, there was a prominent 'breaking news' on the Malayalam 'Surya' channel that highlighted the existence of a market, trading human beings - yes, you heard it right - in God's own country! I really was flabbergasted as they showed the venue( Kolancherry junction at Perumbavoor - a sleepy hamlet about 75 kms north-west of Kochi) and the process of sale.
Labourers and skilled workers come in droves and assemble at the market place in the morning. Potential contractors come with appropriate vehicles(depending on the number of labourers they require), haggle over the price with the middlemen or even with the labourers directly and clinch the deal. There was a guy who'd collected about fifteen odd labourers and stacked them like cattle, into a pick up truck, which was the most searing of the sights provided by the TV grab!!
And while the prices are negotiated, the incentives offered are liquor, drugs and 'paan'. Is a human being's worth so less? Is life so meaningless and cheap?
Another reason for Keralites to hang their heads in shame. Quite disturbing indeed!!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment