A Story of Inequality

SOCIETY

Throughout my life, I’ve been taught that success demands struggle, hard work, and sacrifice. The message is clear: put aside joy, relationships, and even your well-being, and grind like a beast of burden just to earn a name in this world. A world, might I add, that thrives on fear, power, and is controlled by the wealthy for the wealthy.

Now, imagine the life of a poor boy named Saru. He’s just seven years old, living on the streets. His father was once a wealthy man but was deceived and lost everything, leaving behind only debts. Stricken by stress, his father died. His mother, too, is on the brink of death, consumed by illness.

What crime did Saru commit to deserve such a life? What will society tell him? To work hard? That his situation doesn’t matter? That he’s lazy or unintelligent for not finding a way out?

WEALTH DISTRIBUTION

This is the ugly truth: 30% of the world’s population controls 97% of its wealth, while the remaining 70% must share a meager 3%.

Reflect on this deeply. Do you see it now? Heaven and hell aren’t distant, metaphysical places—they exist right here on Earth. For the rich, life is heaven; for the poor, it’s nothing short of hell.

How tragic is it that in this society, a person has to fight just to meet the most basic needs—food, clothing, shelter? The poor can’t afford to dream because their tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. They’re trapped in an endless struggle to survive, while those born into wealth, regardless of merit or morality, enjoy a life of ease and freedom.

Where is God in all this? Are we waiting for divine intervention, or is God waiting for us to act? Who can say?

This isn’t just a problem in so-called third-world countries. It’s human nature to hoard, to want more, even when others have nothing. It may not happen in your backyard, but are you not human? Do you not feel their pain? Should our empathy be restricted by borders or social classes? The real enemy isn’t poverty or geography; the devil lies within all of us.

POVERTY IS A CURSE

I confess, I used to avert my eyes from the poor—not because I despised them, but because I felt powerless to help. I, too, belong to the middle class, struggling every day to lift my family out of financial anxiety.

Yes, I am selfish; I, too, desire more. But I feel their pain. The harsh reality is that, like many of us, I can do nothing for them without money. And even when we do gain wealth, who’s to say we won’t lose our morals in the pursuit of more?

Hinduism speaks of Kaliyuga, the age we live in today, a period where evil reaches its peak. Relationships crumble, lust and the thirst for power rise, violence escalates, and morality fades. Day by day, I become more convinced of the truth in this belief.

I don’t know what the future holds. Though I have a grim sense of what might come, a small part of me holds onto hope—that the world, someday, could become a place of happiness for all mankind, not just for a select group of the wealthy.

By: Robrayl (AJ)

Writer's note:

We, the people, are at a crucial moment in humanity. Every step we take will decide the fate of tomorrow’s world, which will be passed on to our children. Inequality in all aspects, be it wealth, power, education, or living conditions, is detrimental. We must demand equality and create a world that is made by all and is for all.).