An un-insured Life !

It is always worth it and gives a “kick” to interact with some of the best minds in India. Walking down with this gentleman on a cool evening of March, one of the best seasons of the year, along the lanes of Dwarka talking on issue ranging from North East India – people in the metros and in the region. The discussion obviously went down to the political process and systems and institutions. And of course the Judiciary, the long drawn process, the crowded court rooms and the 3-4 feet high piles of very very old files in the court room

Lo! This gentleman said “there were rows of people waiting for insurance claims in the court in India” People who are already dead, their near and dear one claiming the insurance,  where most of them had to literally fight and at times lost the battle.   

An NGO I am associated with recently send me information that a six years savings scheme was made for me. While I am no longer associated with the said NGO, the gesture did come a little late. The said 'scheme' was supposed to be a technical process of the financial dealings and transactions. And one wonders how and why such dealings can still be made when one is no longer part of that organization. I did not appreciate the gesture at all. 

Once an agent came over to me and explained to me that I will get an x amount of money if I go for this scheme or that. I told him that If I have money I could save money in my own way, one simple way is in bank accounts. And I also told him that I need money now and not after 20 or 30 years. I want to enjoy life now not after I am old !.  

Most of these schemes will mature after a minimum of 10-20 years. Will it be significant after so many years?  At times this ‘savings’ or in better term ‘insurance’, specially the health insurance do really look funny at times, unless you are sick , you cannot enjoy the benefit !! Unless you met with an accident ( God forbid) , can you draw out your insurance ?

Often I hear people marry off their children ( more than once) just to draw out some of their "schemes”. Or do they also say one of their relative or a family member is hospitalized? or died ? even when they not ?  

There is a story in Mizoram. Pu Thangkura was a jobless – good for nothing fellow. Those who are worried about him such as his uncle suggested that the Army service would be an ideal job for him and  that was actually the only job opportunity for him. During those days, nobody wanted to be a soldier, so anyone willing to join were taken in without any ‘qualification’.

In an attempt to convinced and motivate Pu Thangkura, his Uncle explained the benefits of joining the Army. He said “ if you become  a soldier , you will be fighting for the nation. All facilities, from food to house will be free. Besides this you can save your salary apart from the usual benefits, you can have a good life after you retire” the Uncle went on “ in case you die ,  your family will enjoy an additional benefit, besides other benefits”. Pu Thangkura was in tears “ You people want to enjoy out of my sweat..I will earn and save and you all are planning to  enjoy from my saving.. And you want me to die fighting? So that you all will enjoy the money out of my dead body ?” J

Perhaps Pu Thangkura was right !

What is this life, if full of care ; we have no time to stand and stare! …as long as sheep or cows… to see, when woods we pass, where squirrels hide their nuts in grass…A poor life this is, if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.

__________________________________________________________________________________________