Fruit

In “The Algebra of Infinite Justice” in the essay on the big dams in India, Roy quotes a man effected/relocated by the dam. He used to live near a forest (which was cut down, and then either the land was flooded, or it was slated to be flooded as a reservoir). He said that he could count about 20 fruits that he used to be able to gather from the forest. Now he lives in a city…and he said he didn’t think he’d ever be able to afford to eat fruit again.

This thought runs through my mind now when I eat fruit (which I consider to be a normal part of my diet). I assume that fruit will be a part of my diet. I can’t imagine not being able to afford fruit….yet I know this is reality for many people in the world. Fruit as a luxury…it’s a very different view of the world.