Should such people be trusted and help anymore?

It was a bumper harvest for pumpkins this year.

The government intervened and bought large sums to ease the situation but many had to be thrown away later due to poor storage.

Another wasteful expenditure by the government again.

Recently a friend of ours sent an SMS asking those who visit outstations to buy as many pumpkins as possible without bargaining from poor farmers.

And it seems a reasonable and timely request.

Help another when in need is not a bad thing.

Last weekend we visited deep down south of Sri Lanka on a pilgrimage and on our way back bought as many pumpings as our car boot could hold.

No bargaining and paid the requested price.

We were thinking that we made both the grower and neighbours happy with that gesture as we distributed all the pumpkins among the neighbourhood later.

Today we went for our groceries to one of the nearby Supermarket and there I found pumpkins similar or larger than the ones we purchased on our way back on display.

Out of curiosity, I picked up the biggest among the lot and asked to weigh it and tell me how much it would cost us.

We were aghast to find that the grower has overcharged us at least 25% more than the current city price.

Last night on Tv news too I have seen paddy growers were going to Private vendors offering lesser prices than the government collecting centres.

And later blaming the government of not paying them a fair price for their products.

Should such people be trusted and help anymore?

Reached 60 & What's Changing ?

Yes, I am changing,
After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, my friends, now I have started loving myself.

Yes, I am changing,
I just realised that I am not “Atlas”. 

The world does not rest on my shoulders.

Yes, I am changing,
I now stopped bargaining with vegetables & fruits vendors. 

After all, a few Rupees more is not going to burn a hole in my pocket but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.

Yes, I am changing,
I pay the taxi driver without waiting for the change. 

The extra money might bring a smile on his face. 

After all, he is toiling much harder for a living than me.

Yes, I am changing,
I stopped telling the elderly that they've already narrated that story many times. 

After all, the story makes them walk down the memory lane & relive the past.

Yes, I am changing,
I've learnt not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. 

After all, the onus of making every one perfect is not on me. 

Peace is more precious than perfection.

Yes, I am changing,
I give compliments freely & generously. 

After all, it's a mood enhancer not only for the recipient but also for me.

Yes, I am changing,
I've learnt not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. 

After all, personality speaks louder than appearances.

Yes, I am changing,
I walk away from people who don't value me. 

After all, they might not know my worth, but I do.

Yes, I am changing,
I remain cool when someone plays dirty politics to outrun me in the rat race. 

After all, I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.

Yes, I am changing.
I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. 

After all, it's my emotions that make me human.

Yes, I am changing,
I have learnt that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. 

After all, my ego will keep me aloof whereas with relationships I will never be alone.

Yes, I am changing,
I've learnt to live each day as if it's last.
After all, it might be the last.

Yes, I am changing,
I am doing what makes me happy. 

After all, I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to me.