This is a conversation I overheard the other day:
It is so difficult to find people to climb coconut trees these days.
Indeed. They ARE difficult to come by.
Besides they ask for the moon as remuneration.
Times are really tough for those of us who have coconut trees in our compounds.
Oh yeah! We let their children get educated and look where we are. What else can we expect?!
Yes, they have moved on to other better job options while we suffer for lack of labor to pluck coconuts.
Did you feel something was terribly wrong while reading the above exchange? I did when I heard it first hand. The sense of upper class entitlement seemed too loud and clear to my ears. We and they, the ‘they’ here those whose existence involved serving the ‘we’.
For those of you who are not aware of the intricacies involved: people who climb coconut trees belong to a caste considered lower, and were denied education in the past. And here were people lamenting the fact that the present generation was abandoning coconut-tree climbing as a profession for better options.
Tell me, who wouldn’t? If the opportunity presented itself, wouldn’t you and I? In fact, won’t we create opportunities if none presented themselves voluntarily? Isn’t it natural for each one of us, anyone, whoever we are, to want to better ourselves in every which way possible? Why should we grudge one set of people that betterment, and on what basis?
Can we really expect a section of the population to remain where they were just so another section can have their needs met without a hitch? In this case, coconuts plucked. In other cases shoes repaired, or toilets cleaned. Is it right to expect so? And what’s with the we “let” their children get educated? That’s the part that stung me most on hearing it.
Does education belong to any particular group that we talk of ‘letting’ others get educated as if it were some magnanimous gesture on our part? Why is it birthright to some and to others a charity conferred? When exactly is such attitude going to disappear forever? Will it ever?
Questions! Questions! Questions!
For me the answers are clear. Everyone has the right to education, look for better options and move to wherever they want to in life. In the meantime let’s hope technology will find us an easier way to pluck coconuts.
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©Shail Mohan 2014
Shail's Nest 
Millenia old habits die hard. Very relevant points raised.
Thank you 🙂
Absolutely! I hear the same things – the people who come to trim the trees, deal with the undergrowth n all… why they aren’t around anymore, or their kids, who have got an education and moved on! Sigh. The double standards, and insensitivity, and the superiority of it all… !
Indeed. I know it is tough for people when they cannot find help, but isn’t it natural for them to want to move ahead in life too? I simply cannot understand why that is so difficult to understand for many.
Wow everyday the world seems to amaze me more and more. It is our God given right to be the best version of ourselves!! In Holland we say every advantage has its disadvantage. If “they” stay the same and steal and rob in order to receive more, they will complain. It’s never going to be good enough!! That’s why I’m following my heart and own destiny despite what they think I should be doing.
First of all, welcome to Shail’s Nest, and thank you for the comment. I agree totally. Glad that you are following your heart. 🙂
Yes, I think the ‘let them be educated’ statement riled me the most too!! Ridiculous mentality!
Many among us actually believe in their hearts that some of the population should remain poor, uneducated and servile so they themselves can have a hassle free existence. Ridiculous to the extreme.
Things won’t change that soon…may be it will take another few generations to get to the equal state of mind.
What I find disturbing is how many of the newer generation have imbibed thoughts of their parents’ generation. It is going to take long 😦
Thank God I have companions in you Shail and Roshni. Just yesterday MIL was complaining there is a sudden dearth of maids in the society, as they (they here being the maids) are not letting their daughters enter the profession because they are educating them and making them capable of finding good jobs. And I was like please give me a break — why shouldn’t they let their children study and move ahead in life? I have the same questions. Thank you for sharing this post!
Indeed, why wouldn’t they want to get educated and move on to a better life? They have every right to!
You are welcome, Swati 🙂
same conversations I have heard regarding house helps, cooks also … Such sense of entitlement ..
That’s it, such a sense of entitlement.
I believe it’s the resistance to accept the changes going on regardless how educated one is, because some I know who are extremely educated do not like the new changes going on and want their children and younger generations to live the lifestyle they were used and be ‘like’ them. No longer possible for that to happen. I would say it’s a generational thing too because it was what the people of that generation were used to since they grew up like that. In addition to not finding people who can climb up coconut trees and plop down coconuts, they may not other concepts as well like “dating”, working in a good career that’s not the typical doctor or engineer, and allowing women to become more independent and be themselves rather than confined to the traditional role of being a housewife and bearing children. The educated, open minded, and explorative you are, the more likely you’ll see life in a different perspective, but it’s funny though that there are many I know who are very much educated but still refuse see a different mindset and are stuck in their olden ways ! Hope you get my point.
Yes, I do. And yes, education does not seem to have any influence on some. They want to remain in their regressive world and for others around them to do the same too.
Old habits are hard to break or rather some people are not fit to be called human beings . the sense of entitlement that comes from belonging to the so called ‘upper caste’ is disgusting to say the least! Only in India.
And many who I otherwise imagined as very progressive and open-minded have greatly disappointed me up close.
These ‘they’ are expected to serve generations and generations of these entitled lot and expect small money and some small kindness ,when a bout of charity takes over these coconut tree owners type.
If these ‘they’ get better in life or do not feel obliged to receive the small charities given to them,then they are the ‘spoilt lot’ who do not care for ‘goodness’ and have become lazy and money minded.
Heard this argument umpteen times ,specially about maids. In our place ,they still work on all seven days of a week. Which job in the world is like that where one works for 365 days a year without a leave?
Exactly. Some time back i had a conversation with someone about the maids taking Sunday off. Come on, can you not give them one day off from a week?! That’s atrocious. Yes, till a few years back they worked on all days of the week, shocking as that might sound. Except for homemakers i don’t think there are anyone who work round the clock in this manner. (In recent times I have started resenting that I don’t have a retirement age/benefits et al 😛 )
In one of the Planet Food episodes that comes in TLC, I saw that they have trained monkeys to climb trees and pluck the right coconut. Its one of those South-East Asian Islands – dont remember which one.
If they cant find people, let them find monkeys 😀 😀
Aaaargh…those kind of people certainly annoy me too !
I have seen that episode too 😀
Hey there, I found you via the NaBloPoMo blogroll.
You said everything that needs to be said about this overheard conversation. Mine are never this interesting or this angry-making. 😉
I do remember very vividly overhearing a child in the soft drink aisle saying “No Mummy, not the mineral water, please Mummy, NO!”. I’m sure the child just wanted something like Coca Cola, but my minds first thought was.. I love mineral water, why doesn’t that kid? It is my drink of choice.. 🙂
As part of NaBloPoMo I try to comment on as many participating blogs as I can, and I also add participating blogs to my feed reader.
So I’m just dropping by to let you know I’ve added your blog to my feedreader, I’m reading you loud and clear, I have a link up going at my place so my readers can find participating blogs which you are more than welcome to add your blog link to.
Looking forward to seeing your posts, and you’ll likely see me drop by again during November.
Happy NaBloPoMo to you!
Snoskred
http://www.snoskred.org
Welcome to Shail’s Nest and thank you for your comment. Sure will drop in and check out the link up. 🙂
Completely agree with your answer!
Thanks, M 🙂