In the wee-hours of the day little Yusuf’s feverish hands are hard at work. He sifts through the garbage looking for ‘fine’ pieces of cloth, or a torn slipper…maybe a match-stick box, or a deserted toy as well! Anything really….from that heap of stinking garbage which can still be of ‘use’ in his paltry existence; or probably for his best-friend Rahim.


Age seems to have caught on the faces of these young scavengers. The exuberance and innocence of childhood however, is brought forth in flashes -- brought to life in their small eyes as it were, and carrying with it joy and renewed hope when a fluorescent pink pencil box, with its sides masticated almost, is recovered from the rubbish heap! Finally, the two friends can pack their humble pencils and erasers in that box, and carry it to their evening school…

I happened to interact with many such young boys and girls in the past few months; and what struck me most was their boundless passion and enthusiasm to ‘know’. There is a hunger to learn and a striking curiosity to know about the unknown – and the great deal of satisfaction they derive when the so-long unknown is acquired! Somewhat, and ironically almost, like the way they go about doing their menial work every morning – with earnest curiosity and keenness, rummaging through every piece of article, to discover an item of use; and the joy it brings to their parched souls!