Adana residents lament economic hardship: 'We only smell the kebabs'
Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Low-income citizens in Adana's Kozan district express severe financial hardship, with one stating they can only smell kebabs while others eat them.
- A pensioner receiving an old-age pension struggles to afford basic necessities like bread and vegetables, highlighting the gap between the wealthy and the poor.
- Citizens criticize the economic system and governance, feeling neglected and unable to meet even basic needs or dietary recommendations for health.
From the heart of Adana's Kozan district, a stark picture of economic distress emerges, painting a grim reality for many struggling citizens. The sentiment is palpable: 'People eat kebab, we just smell it.' This poignant metaphor captures the widening chasm between the affluent and the impoverished. For those relying on meager old-age pensions, the simple act of buying groceries has become a luxury. A loaf of bread is stretched to last multiple meals, and fresh produce is an unattainable desire. The Kurban Bayramฤฑ, a time of feasting and generosity, is met with resignation rather than anticipation, as citizens lament their inability to partake in the traditions. The current economic system is failing its people, leaving them unable to afford basic necessities, let alone follow doctor's orders for healthier diets. One citizen, advised to avoid fatty and salty foods, could only wryly respond that he might as well eat grass as he can't afford normal food. This reflects a deep disillusionment with governance and a system that prioritizes personal gain over the welfare of its citizens. The feeling of being overlooked and neglected is profound, as the gap between those who feast and those who merely observe grows wider each day.
Yalan mฤฑ sรถyleyelim? Alamฤฑyoruz. Pazara varฤฑyorsun, iki kilo bir ลey alฤฑyorsun alamฤฑyorsun, geri dรถnรผyorsun. Bir ekmek alฤฑyoruz, azฤฑcฤฑk รถฤlen yiyorsun, gerisini akลama yiyorsun. ฤฐdare ediyorsun iลte.
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.