India's Downtrodden
Reprinted from International Herald TribuneBy Ko Unoki, GMAP'02
August 10, 2008
The article "Everything is changing but treatment of poor" (Letter from India, Aug. 8) by Anand Giridharadas reminded me of a heart rending experience I had during a recent business trip to Mumbai.
While being driven around the city by a professional driver who was unfailingly polite and efficient, we came to a stop light at a busy intersection. While waiting for the signal to change, a small, disheveled-looking girl covered with dust and grime, about 7 years old, wearing nothing but rags and holding a small baby in her arms, came to our car and tapped on the window, presumably begging for money. As it was in previous such encounters, with a heavy heart I ignored the girl. In similar circumstances in the past, usually the beggar would go away when I failed to respond.
This time, however, the little girl continued to tap lightly on the window and started saying something in her language that I did not understand. While considering whether I should open my window and give the girl some money, my driver all of a sudden rolled down his window and whacked the girl on the head with his fist - and not just once. As if hitting the girl was not enough, the driver, with a fierce expression, started yelling at her, probably telling her to get lost. I will never forget the sad look on the little girl's face. She didn't cry though, perhaps she was used to getting such a beating.
The light changed color and we drove off, the driver happily chatting away about a new mall that opened in Mumbai as if nothing had happened.
• Ko Unoki is a Deputy General Manager of Sony Corporation's Global Marketing Division.