Malleeshwara Reddy
Blame it on my luck, whenever my vehicle gets a puncture, its almost always on a sunday afternoon, which means its a pain to get someone to attend to it.
This Sunday was one of those days. Thankfully it was very close to my residence so I managed to go home.
The next day morning I tried in vain to get someone to come to my residence and look into it. I went to office and returned in my friend’s bike.
Tuesday was Ramzan and I was at home. My first task was to attend to this puncture. I caught hold of a person nearby who was willing to come to my residence to remove the punctured tyre. He came back after two hours to fix the tyres. He said there were two punctures, quite big ones. When I asked about his charge, he demanded 70 bucks. I was taken aback by this for a moment. I mean, there was a time not so long ago where I’d given 10 bucks for a puncture. But then those were the days, not so long ago I was earning considerably less too, so I thought it was ok. ‘Blame it on inflation’ i thought.
Apparently the rate is more if the puncture demands vulcanizing.
He added that he charges Rs.20 extra if he comes out of his shop to attend a puncture.
I just chit-chatted with him for some time. The fellow’s name is Malleeshwara Reddy. He should be about 23-24 yrs old. His native is Kalahasthi. He comes from an agricultural background. All his family members are still in his native.
After some time, he told, “Rombo naal kalichu inniku dhaan velaiku vandhikuren”
Me,”Yen”
“SRP yaanda vizhundutten. Idho indha bike la dhaan”
“Kadavule enna achu?”
“Mandayile Adi”
“Ayyo, Aprom!“
“Avlo dhaan aal out nu nennachaango elarum. Epdiyo pozhachu vandhutten.”
“Nalla velai”
“Aspathiri pona, 3 naal la 35,000 ruba agi pochu. Epdiyo pozhachu vandenenu nenachuka vendiyadhu dhaan”
His boss had given the amount.
Working professionals like those in the IT industry would have health insurance. Where would people like Malleeshwara Reddy go for money? Its his good luck that his boss had given some money. How many vulcanizing shop owners, in general would have so much cash to spare in the first place, let alone having the heart to spend on his employee? He also told that ever since he had recovered, his boss is asking for that money from him. He gets a monthly salary of 2000 plus a accommodation plus food. His boss expects him to work for free till he repays the amount.
Why can’t our governments come forward and initiate a group health insurance scheme for people like Malleeshwara Reddy?
Have their lives become dispensable and valueless just because they are poor?
I’m sure such schemes will cost much less than ‘ilavasa colour TV’ but 1000 times more useful and effective.
Malleeshwara Reddy left soon after but the questions he posed in my mind lingered for a long time.
October 26th, 2006 at 8:19 pm
one thing i agree with you instead of this useless color tv gift and saying they will give free land they can do lot of other better things which will yeild long term better results
health insurance is just one thing u have mentioned we have lot of other perennial problems on which our govt shows a closed eye
October 26th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
dany,
the reason i mentioned this was, this sceme has the potential to garner and attract votes while serving a purpose.
October 26th, 2006 at 11:22 pm
PK, I fully agree about health insurance. But these health insurances are becoming a cause of concern these days. Its happening here like the US. Just because most people are covered by health insurance by their employers, the charges have literally sky rocketed and the real sufferers are people like Malleshwara. Infact I remember, one of my friends met with an accident and when he went to the hospital, the first question he was asked “which company do you work of”. When my friend gave the answer, immediately came the comment “Oh! So you would be having reimbursement right?”. Sorry the digression, but that is the state of affairs with respect to Health Insurance and Hospitals as well.
October 26th, 2006 at 11:28 pm
ravi,
valid point. and that’s one of the reasons i want ppl like malleshwara covered by insurance too!
the provblem is, govt hospitals have every damn facility but unless u know someone there, things just dont work for u! especially if u r poor..
so where will the poor fellow go for treatment is my question…
the docs charge more bcos of insurance,i agree but still its better to have insurance!
October 27th, 2006 at 1:08 am
very thought provoking PK, these politicians don’t have proper vision and people are not educated to know the fact about them, makkalum color tv na udaney poi vote pottu irukaanga paarunga yennaiku thaan urupada poraangalo..
October 27th, 2006 at 5:45 am
PK - Yes. I have thought about such boys and their profession. His owner must be really a good man to have given loan. The parties should stop others doing felicitations. The other day I saw the thanks giving party by the Cine field in TV, and wondered how much of money would have been spent. Instead, as a thanks giving if something had been done to those who were in need…. Hmmmm when are they going to think?
October 27th, 2006 at 5:58 am
no maatru karuthu.. the worst fact is GH’s are already operating free for everybody (which is we talking about) or atleast they charge very less. But availing those is again a problem and I think govt interfering into the priiivate hospitals operations is never gonna happen. alt we can streamline the GH processes strict and transparent.
October 27th, 2006 at 6:19 am
There is an accident relief fund- ARF - Anyone can become a member of ARF- there are two categories -paying members and non paying members - Thos who can afford pay for those who cannot..
Emergency selavu is balanced. I dont know though mow much they are going to provide. Mechanics and other labourers must get a card with ARF so they are attended in case of emergency.
October 27th, 2006 at 7:54 am
syam,
:D
idhukellam oru vidivu kaalam porakanumna neenga india vandhu arasiyal la erangunga
but seriously, i totally agree! all this free color tv in taxpeyer’s money looks criminal to me!
October 27th, 2006 at 7:57 am
balaji sir,
ungaluku namba cinema kaaranga pathi solliya theriyanum. nalaiku govt maaruna JJ ku innoru vizha edupaanga…
ennamo andha kalathile arasan avanoda andhapurathile nayagigal adaradha parkura madhiri these politicanns go and sit for 5 hours…
October 27th, 2006 at 8:01 am
priyums,
i know which ARF u r talking abt.
i’ve written abt it sometime back nu nenaikiren..
but someone should take it to the masses in a big way
alternatively some institution(can be even govt.) which has the strength and scale can adpot the same model..
i’ve spoken to Gagan singh and he clearly told me this is a business for him. he did not pretend any charity…
so if u look at it that way, this can be a viable business model and yet at the same time very useful for the poor at critical sitns. like this.
maybe i should get in touch with Gagan and try to get an interview from him…
October 27th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
valid point..its stuff like this that makes me sad and lose all my optimism..why do some people get life’s bad deal???
and guess what? the other day i was stranded in the lake that is velachery when it rains and was asking myself, why wasnt i born ina richer country?
poor guy…..atleast his employer gave him the money…our employers wont give us GHMI till we produce the bills!!!!!
so in that way he is better…if i were in his place i would have to pay from my pocket first and then claim with th ebilss..
rain and lashing rain at that leaves me bitter
October 27th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
monu,
>>the lake that is velachery when it rains
hehehe. anaalum enga area va ipdi damage panniruka venaam
u know what india is not exactly a poor country if u ask me.
its just that we dont have funds for fundamental things for a society!
October 27th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
srikanth,
GH kadhai oru soga kadhai…
for eg, the GH in chennai is one of the best in terms of facilities…
but i dont know how the poorest of the poor get treated there…
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