DEMOLISHING HOUSES, DEMOLISHING LIVELIHOODS:

By Srishti Singh

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Varanasi, better known as Kashi roughly translates to "City of Lights". The city's rich culture and heritage makes it an evergreen tourist destination and a world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But does this Historic city, broken and rebuilt, annihilated and transformed all to appease the worldly eye, shun its inhabitants? The very inhabitants that make it the oldest city in the world.

But does this Historic city, broken and rebuilt, annihilated and transformed all to appease the worldly eye, shun its inhabitants? The very inhabitants that make it the oldest city in the world.

Our Prime Minister's constituency saw a remarkable transformation in its architecture, and infrastructure while preserving its legacy. The ghats were revamped with paintings, cruise boats were installed for tourists to witness the grand Ganga Arti, and the heart of Varanasi: Kashi Vishwanath temple given a colossal corridor to make travel easy for pilgrims.

While we were engrossed in assimilating the grandeur of this corridor, the people who lost their residences, and small shops, all in all, their entire life's earnings, were left to fend for themselves.

No big-shot media channels ever took notice of these people's sufferings. Perhaps because they are trivial, their stories and adversities make no difference in our lives. Yet these neglected people are the soul of Varanasi. These small garland vendors, silk saree shop owners, and makeshift religious item sellers make Kashi what it is.

Overhearing the conversation between two elderly women on Dashashwamedh ghat broke my heart.

They lived in the cramped streets which had to be demolished to build the corridor lost their house and shop. With nothing left to sustain a decent living, they were out selling garlands in scorching heat. The compensation offered to them was a small temporary (kachcha) house in a far-off place restricting them from even earning a meager livelihood.

This is one of many unheard stories of the overlooked citizens of this nation, and serves as a poignant reminder of the systemic injustices that persist in our nation, underscoring the need for immediate attention and meaningful action.