People Claim- “Air Cannot Be Only Food for Us”

Risen price on bread has made life expensive in Georgia. Today you can meet citizens, concerned about the situation, particularly at or near groceries. When they have not enough money to fill their consumer commodities, one part of people gets desperate while others scold their government.

“Human Rights Centre” Kutaisi office interviewed people concerned about difficult life and recorded their comments.

Tamar Jajanidze, a house wife: “I am worried about current situation in Georgia and particularly in our city. The number of employed people reduces day by day and the prices on product are increasing, I have two children, I have not worked for last two years because of reduction at the office. My husband got ill because of his unemployment. I have no idea how should I grow up my two children. Before I think of something, I will go mad.”

Otar Chigladze, an engineer: “Let’s clap and wave flags in their honor now, there is nothing unexpected here; anyway it would have happened earlier or sooner, the price on bread would have risen. In exchange for that we have squares and dancing fountains. However, our government spared money to build fountains in Kutaisi. Our authority should rather pay attention to its population or tortured people will soon throw stones at them and officials will have nowhere to escape”.

Nana Jikidze, a shop-assistant: “I am worried about the situation most of all; a person enters the shop, wants to buy food but cannot afford it. I could not help crying half an hour ago, a woman came in, she bought a loaf of bread and washing powder; then hardly took her crying child from here, because he wanted ice-cream, and mother could not buy it; is it life?”

Lali Laliashvili, a teacher: “If I could, I would have gathered people in Kutaisi and we would go out in the street in protest. At last our government should understand that it is government of people, of society, and not of themselves. It is high time to take over their responsibilities. Do you know what my opinion is? Our government is laughing at us and we deserve it, because we are not brave enough to remind them that we are alive and air cannot be our only food.”

Tengiz Akhvlediani, a retired person: “Living became expensive in Georgia, we can not change anything. They throw out people from their own houses, what else do you want? If it continues in the future, only residues will remain from our nation.”

Lana Ioseliani, a student: “Bread got more expensive and people are in panic. The situation is very bad. Kutaisi is not a wealthy city and the problem has already told on it. Factories do not work; there are a lot of unemployed people… people have more problems here then in the capital, or in some other cities of Georgia. Sometime I think that, life is stopped here.”

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi