Three Million 2. The Cigarette Tin
Mar 11, 2024
A young boy grapples with how much rice to share from a cigarette tin as hunger grips his community. The heart-wrenching stories of starvation emerge, revealing the dire choices faced by families in Bengal. Amidst chaos and conflict, acts of kindness shine through as a missionary establishes a relief hospital. The grim reality of Calcutta’s suffering contrasts sharply with the privileged lives of others, while a courageous newspaper editor risks it all to expose the truth. This poignant narrative captures the fight against colonial neglect and the quest for survival.
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Amartya Sen's Cigarette Tin Rationing
- Young Amartya Sen used a cigarette tin to ration rice to starving families nearby.
- He sometimes gave beyond the allowed half tin, driven by the overwhelming need around him.
War Effort Over Famine Relief
- British government prioritized war efforts over famine relief, rejecting Bengal's urgent grain import requests.
- Churchill believed Indians must fend for themselves, neglecting millions suffering starvation within the empire.
Missionary's Famine Hospital
- Reverend Alan MacLeod set up a makeshift famine hospital with little resources.
- Many who came were too sick, dying even after seeming to improve with limited treatment.