This photograph was an advert for `Irony in life', on more than one level.

An impoverished looking `coolie' loaded the sacks of vegetables -back breaking labor.
He then wedged himself atop the sacks. Folded himself into that tiny space available, set to make the uncomfortable journey to the destination of the goods - again back breaking journey.

At the end of the day, he got a few rupees for his back-breaking work.

Barely enough to feed himself and his family a good meal.

But his back breaking work was literally breaking his back.

The pain was unbearable and the body fatigued beyond its limits.

Unless he did something about it, he wouldn't be able to get up the next morning. And if he didn't, he wouldn't be able to go to work. And if he didn't work, he wouldn't get paid. And if he doesn't get paid, he will not be able to feed the family.

And in order to do that, he needs to do something about the pain -on his body, in his heart, in his mind.

So, he takes his hard earned money and goes and buys himself some cheap liquor.

He drinks to forget his pain.

Then he looks down and realizes that most of his pay has vanished -now there's really hardly anything left to feed himself and the family.

So he buys himself some more `pain-killer-in-a-bottle' to forget the pain in his heart and mind- the mind that tells him how he's failed in life at all levels, gulps it down and goes home empty-handed.

Only to return to life, all over again the next day.

The story of most men, living below the P-line in our country.
I have seen many such stories play out in front of me....