Story of Sharda (1990)
Elmy | 28 July 2004, 9:48amSharda Amma, age 9 yrs. Sharda’s parents were casual labourers and habitual drunkards. Sharda was fifth in the string of seven children.
The eldest son Ramu was working as a room service man in a lodge in the city inner suburbs, he started his career as an errand boy, working at Ramulus (the fathers) construction sites. This job would buy him a toffee ortwo once a week. This was not enough for the family. At the age of seven Ramu managed to get a job as a table cleaner at one of the Irani hotels, it was hay day and that was one of the rare occasions when Parvati amma (the mother) was not beaten up. Ramu now 17 had graduated into a Room boy. The moment he got this job Ramu got married to the neighbours daughter, who was six months pregnant and moved out on his own.
Its now time for Sharda to earn a living for herself, and also contribute to the family’s savings. Ramulu’s in and out of the govt hospital lately due to a liver problem, Shardas two elder sisters have married and support their own families by working at two different house holds. The third one is the families’ black sheep, she keeps protesting against the atrocities of her owner (employer), and keeps getting the sack.
Parvati amma has been training her daughters to work hard to get a job as a housemaid, she keeps telling them the hardships and risks involved working as casual labourers. The exploitation at the hands of the managers and other co-workers. The girls dread this situation !!!
Parvati amma has managed to get a full time job for Sharda at a house of a senior ranking Police officer in Ameerpet. The terms seem to be reasonably good,
1. Washing the dishes,
2. Sweeping and mopping the floor
3. Taking care of the families’ 3-year-old toddler.
The mother is allowed to visit once every fortnight for 15 mins. Food and clothing provided by the owner (need not mention it’s the employer). It would also add a valuable Rs 60 per month to the family’s income.
Current Mood: Worried
Current Music: Indian
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1. By Mayavi | 28 Jul 2004, 10:48am
mmmm... ok.