If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?

Before I share my views, I want to make it clear that while they are indeed subjective, they stem from my personal understanding of various situations and matters. These views are not aimed at any specific society, country, or individual but are meant to be considered from a broader perspective. When addressing such topics, it’s inevitable for the discussion to be opinionated, which provokes thought, regardless of whether it is agreeable or not.

Money plays a crucial role in a person’s life. It is essential for covering the costs linked to basic necessities. Food, clothing, and shelter are the fundamental needs. Earning money is part of the daily grind, and it’s a common sight to see the average person doing so. For millions, securing two meals a day is a burdensome challenge. The pursuit of livelihood is not just tough; it becomes a daunting task when limited employment opportunities face a vast workforce. Beyond the essentials, health and education are also priorities.

In various parts of the world, people struggle with poverty, starvation, malnutrition, and poor hygiene. Their living conditions are dire, and the notion of human rights seems unattainable. Hunger drives them to engage in illegal activities, like drug and human trafficking, breaking the bonds of relationships. The quality of life and dignity in daily existence have diminished. Immorality has overshadowed morality, leading to violent conflicts, unnecessary fighting, wars, and destruction. Unfortunately, this is not a new phenomenon in today’s world, home to a highly evolved human race.

Despite the gaping disparities, food shortages, poor health, inadequate hygiene, and deplorable living conditions, the world is engaged in warfare, exacerbating and intensifying these issues. Individuals are heedlessly participating in activities that are perilous not only to themselves but also detrimental to humanity as a whole.

This has led to the formation of various groups with divergent behaviors, possessing traits that are not commendable. Certain individuals stoke tensions and provoke divisions for their narrow benefits. Imposing war or crafting warlike scenarios to boost arms sales dangerously tips the balance of the arms race in favor of those already in surplus.

The relentless pursuit of greed, power, and dishonesty is driving people to seek more at the expense of others. The idea of “Live and let live” is being ignored, and no one seems to care about it. This is being taken lightly, and honest, law-abiding individuals and nations are suffering greatly. While responsible individuals and those in positions of power speak out against the growing poverty, the reality is quite the opposite, leading to unwarranted distress and outcry.

The notion of donating a large sum of money is often met with skepticism for several reasons. Primarily, it triggers emotions that place undue strain on one’s moral compass. This idea subtly infiltrates the minds of many who have never encountered such wealth in their lifetimes, presenting an enticing dream. It even tempts them to take risks for monetary gain, bordering on emotional manipulation. Furthermore, in the frenzied competition to outdo each other, individuals keen to show their superiority “market” their “altruistic generosity” to satisfy their bloated self-importance. This pretense is trickling down to the youth, who are increasingly exposed to deceptive displays of falsehoods and pretenses.

Amidst soaring inflation and declining currencies, the world is observing how quickly a million is losing its value. In terms of currency exchange, it amounts to approximately Rs 8.39 crores in Indian currency, which remains significant. To expect an average individual to part with such an amount is akin to requesting them to relinquish their most prized asset. Although significant, this sum becomes comparable when weighed against the cost of basic necessities. There are individuals who earn and are paid this amount annually. Those who can afford it are allocating their disposable income to social, cultural, or humanitarian causes. Nevertheless, philanthropy and large donations for a “cause” have a darker side too. They draw sympathy and result in tax benefits, sometimes serving as a conduit for money laundering. A regular person pays taxes on their earnings and receives rebates according to the rules, while the affluent “donate” to cleanse their wealth.

Having said that, any commentary on donating such a significant sum might be considered futile and insincere. There are many tasks to accomplish, yet it is crucial to assist if someone is truly in need. Apart from such cases, there is no merit in parting with a large sum merely to satisfy a deceitful and bloated ego, which has unfortunately become fashionable nowadays.