Spare a thought for 'Them'

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By Ashis Chakrabarti (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-08 07:52

Some people may already know the story. But it's worth telling all those who don't - especially today. So many Chinese have done so many things in their own different ways to contribute to the success of the Beijing Olympics. Su Jian's idea was very special. He is a painter and a teacher at the Guangzhou Art Academy in the capital city of Guangdong province.

Last year, he hit upon a novel idea to celebrate the Games. He decided to paint a picture of migrant workers. They would represent, Su told himself, some 200 million migrant workers who had been building not just the iconic structures like Bird's Nest or Water Cube, but all of today's China. He engaged five such workers to work as his models.

The painting was entitled Them. But finding a title for it was easier for him than doing what he had wanted to do with it. When he thought of it, Su promised he would buy the workers tickets to some events at the Bird's Nest with the money he got by selling the painting.

Some friends eventually came to his help. He raised more than 30,000 yuan from auctioning the painting. Four of the migrants-turned-models accepted Su's proposal, the fifth unable to do so because of family reasons.

Next heard was Su was trying to find the four some kind of accommodation in Beijing for the days they would watch the events. He has called upon volunteers to help them with accommodation.

One hopes he has succeeded by now and the four take their seats at the stadium on the appointed days.

And, today is also the time to salute Su for the idea and the caring heart behind it.

It's a gesture that actually goes beyond the story of one painter and five migrant workers. China's migrant workers, who have been building cities, highways, roads and countless other modern facilities, have been the focus of attention, including that in the domestic and foreign media.

There have been many complaints about the society's neglect of this huge segment of the population. The good news is that governments at different levels have enacted a series of new laws and regulations in the past few months to redress their grievances. These workers are increasingly being offered social and economic opportunities equal to those enjoyed by residents in the cities. The important thing is to ensure that these laws and good intentions do not disappear under the weight of officialdom.

Tonight, though, all those who watch the Olympics opening ceremony, whether at the Nest, at homes or public places, can do one small thing. It'd be nice to spare a thought for "them".

* * *

Here's another salute to some who've decided to spare 08.08.08 a sad association. You heard of the day being auspicious to the Chinese. You may have heard of the large number of people who have decided to marry today - Beijing marriage registration offices alone will issue 16,400 certificates on the day. But did you know of the wise men and women in the municipal bureaus in distant Zhengzhou, capital of Henan, or Dongguan in Guangdong or Dazhou in Shenzhen, who have decided that they would not accept any divorce applications today? Surely, this day is all about unity, rather than separation, and about joy, not sorrow.

(China Daily 08/08/2008 page10)