Editor,
At the end of every month, salaries are dutifully credited into our accounts. Depending on rank and position, these figures range from Rs 30,000 to well over Rs 2 lakh, often supplemented by various perks and allowances. Yet, human desire is a bottomless pit. Who can truly satiate the endless appetite of modern consumerism?
Between mounting EMIs, personal loans, lifestyle shopping, and essential expenses like school fees, rent, and medical bills, our bank balances are often drained within the first week. The chorus of dissatisfaction remains the same: whether one earns Rs 50,000 or Rs 2 lakh, it never feels like enough.
However, in this cycle of perpetual financial discontent, we conveniently forget a stark reality: 80% of our population does not enjoy the safety net of a permanent government job. We turn a blind eye to the contingency staff working right beside us, who manage to survive – and do so with dignity – on meager incomes of just Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000.
This brings us to a pressing moral dilemma. If we look in the mirror and ask ourselves, “Do my daily contributions justify the salary I draw from the public exchequer?” perhaps only 1% could honestly answer “yes.”
The harsh truth of our work culture is an open secret. Arriving late, leaving early, whiling away precious duty hours, and leaving files gathering dust on desks has sadly become the norm rather than the exception.
Before we lament about our paychecks being too small, we must first ask if our contributions are big enough. A salary is not just a monthly entitlement; it is a reward for public service. Let us strive to earn our keep before we complain about the count.
Musa Bhaiya