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4AM
Its not morning yet as sun has not risen over the chilly winter horizon. But she has to wake up after all its question of bread and butter. So quietly She gets out of her straw bed careful enough not wake her family, her husband, her children, her in-laws.
She doesn’t need an alarm clock actually its her body clock that has been doing the job since she was 16 come rain, shine, winter all year round without fail. She goes to ‘bathroom’ and finishes washing herself and doing her morning chores because her mother-in-law doesn’t like anyone to enter ‘kitchen’ without bath.
4.20 AM
She walks into the kitchen lights up the stove to prepare the ‘breakfast’ for her school going younger children. Lunch she doesn’t worry because her eldest daughter takes care of it. But breakfast she does as she wants her girl to enjoy some sleep.
4.45 AM
She ‘gets ready’ for work putting on a shawl she looks lovingly on her sleeping family and walks out. No good bye kisses and hugs. She walks fast onto the mud road leading upto the main road. She meets her fellow workers and they start the chatter so that the walk becomes easier.
5.05 AM
Still its cold and dark out there and a thick layer of fog making the visibility very low yet they hear the ‘Sobji Gari'(Fruits and vegetable train) pass its the first train. In 5 mins their Lakhikantopur Local will arrive. They hurriedly rush to the platform meeting, waving, smiling at other acquaintances. Reaching their spot that is the exact point where the ‘Ladies’ compartment of EMU train will arrive. The place was already crowded with other passengers waiting for the train.
5.20 AM
Its already 10 mins. since the train should have arrived. She asked another woman “Didi what’s the time? The train seems to be late today?” Other woman replied “Yes it already 10 mins late maybe due to this fog trains are running slowly”. She knew it was right, delays often happen in winter mornings due to heavy fog. But today She should have been early as yesterday the security of the apartment said her that Bose boudi is coming and had informed them to tell her to visit boudi’s flat.
5.40 AM
The Platform now is quite crowded as passenger for next trains also have arrived She knows it will be very difficult today. Just then they announced that Up Lakhikantopur Local is arriving shortly. She felt relieved finally its not too late.
The train has arrived that after a lot pushing and shoving around She could herself merely in. Her shawl was precariously hanging through the door. But She is used to it. Her sole goal is to get in at next stop take a decent place to stand for the rest of the Journey. She’s used to it but now-a-days her legs pain maybe She’s getting old. She chats with her fellow travelers they catch up and pull each others legs. They discuss their salary and other work related issue and ofcourse the gossip as to whats going on where but She’s least interested in the last one. Yet she listens as it is an important part of her profession.
7.15 AM
The train generally takes about an hour to reach but due to fog today it got quite late. One by one most of her companion get down at their destinations. She along with a couple of others wait for their station Dhakuria to arrive but the train stopped at the signal Just in front of the signal. Some people start jumping out as it nearly there, She too jumps on to side of the railway track and starts walking quick actually almost running today She’s very late. Nag mashima must be very cross.
7.25 AM
Nag mashima answered the door “What is this I thought you are not coming today. What happened again late today?” She said “Mashima due to fog the train got late what can I do?” Nag mashima retorted “Bablu and Bouma(daughter-in-law)’s office won’t listen now quickly start working you get into kitchen first, rest you’ll do later. See Bouma is already preparing food.” She looked truly the daughter-in-law was preparing food and She was naturally in bad mood as She had step into kitchen though they are paying through the nose for a maid”.
8.30 AM
She hurries to the Bagchi household for her work there and here she did not face tirade of questions as She had told one of her friend who works with the Bagchi’s neighbor’s to update them about the delay.
9.20 AM
After finishing at another house She walked into the apartment. The security said “Oh you have come go Bose Boudi and their Son have just come half an hour back they were asking about you”. She was happy hear this. Bose boudi was her employer for many years. Then they shifted to some other city but have retained their apartment here and come here once or twice a year and whenever they come She’s the one they look for and She also is too Happy to work for them for the Short period that they stay. Bose boudi is overwhelmed to see her at door. She said “Boudi today I got late otherwise I would have come earlier”. Boudi smiled ” No problem our train was also late due to the fog. So can you just sweep now so that we can start the day and then you can come later for other work”.
12 Noon
She’s back at Nag mashima for the rest of the work. Here she gets lunch as well. Actually She works in 6 houses in total and most of them give her ‘tiffin’ but at the Nag household she does the cooking along with other chores so She gets lunch.
3.30 PM
She’s with the Bose boudi’s for the remaining work generally she heads home at this hour but for next 10 or so days She will extend her work hours to accommodate Bose boudi. Bose boudi said “Today you’ll get late it will be dark when you reach. How will you go?” She replied “Don’t worry boudi. My nephew works near the station I’ll ask him to take me home”.
4.15 PM
She heads towards the platform for the 4.30 train today she has a big bag today as Bose Boudi has given a lot stuff. She reaches her home by 6 PM. Its the end of her work day but its still a long time when she finally can call it a day.
PS: This is the schedule of the woman who has been washing our dirty linen and dishes and keeping our home clean for over decade. A woman who is my mom’s man Friday. A woman I address as Didi though she is younger to me I guess. A woman who would never be able to read this. A woman who is part of a tribe that is called ‘Kajer lok’ in west Bengal(my home state) ”Kajer Lok” literally means “People of work”.
Image : http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~uribraun/
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Dec 05, 2009 @ 09:23:10
Beautiful post Dhiman. Very touching….
Dhiman: Thank you … I am glad that it touched you…
Dec 05, 2009 @ 09:53:48
Very good narration style.
Dhiman: Thanks 😀
Dec 05, 2009 @ 09:56:29
And you have touched a very important part of our lives.
Dhiman: I am glad that you agree that ‘they’ are an important part of our lives atleast in India …
Dec 05, 2009 @ 10:20:52
oh man…oh man…this is so sweet…and erm…sad. Very touching.
Dhiman: Thanks Sid… nothing to be sad actually its just another profession like any of our profession…
Dec 05, 2009 @ 15:46:29
Wow! Dhiman! You captured the life of our Man Friday, so very beautifully!
A tough, tiring, grueling, day!!
Very well written! 🙂
Cheers! 🙂
Dhiman: Thanks Shilpa! I always wondered specially about the lady who inspired this post how she managed so many houses yet did not look very tired ….
Dec 05, 2009 @ 17:42:52
Great post! Especially given how much Indians depend on the maids. Nice to see their side of the story… 🙂
Dhiman: Thank you!!! When I went into write the post I felt that why not speak about their schedule because my own work day is more mundane ….
Dec 05, 2009 @ 18:37:44
very good post, well written, excellent narration
Dhiman: Thank you so much !!!
Dec 05, 2009 @ 19:15:12
I think that was an excellent tribute to those people who slog for a living. May God give everyone a turn at the good things in life.
Dhiman: Thank you Pal! I felt this lady in particular deserved this post for many reasons …. Amen for your wish…
Dec 05, 2009 @ 20:03:22
Very well written. Very touching…
PS: The ‘kajer loks’ are indispensible really. We barely realize it… until they leave the job or come in late or skip a day…
Dhiman: Thank you Roshmi …. You are right specially in Bengali households where the ‘Kajer lok’ is sort of indispensable ….
Dec 05, 2009 @ 21:45:18
I could relate myself at some points..enjoyed reading this..thanks ..:)
Dhiman: Thank you Pramoda, I am glad that you enjoyed the post…
Dec 05, 2009 @ 22:28:38
Subtly narrated. I’m touched really.
All the best! Cheerios!
Dhiman: Thanks Karthik … I am glad that this one touched you….
Dec 06, 2009 @ 05:47:33
Heart felt. Narration style is touching. Despite we knowing how much value they add to our lives, we somehow never seem to be acknowledging their effort in person. Isnt it?
Dhiman: Actually this was very idea behind the post… I wanted to acknowledge the Lady’s contribution to our lives …
Dec 06, 2009 @ 15:47:32
Very emotional and touching…..
extremely good narration….
i do appreciate you for writings about the most neglected workers in our country
Wonderful post….
Dhiman: Thank you so much…. most neglected yet most indispensable for our households…
Dec 06, 2009 @ 23:07:25
Very nice concept. It was a nice read. 🙂
Dhiman: Thank you for the compliments ….
Dec 07, 2009 @ 05:58:11
Wonderful post. Very heart-felt and touching. All the best for the Blog-a-ton, I think you stand a very good chance
Dhiman: You think me Blogatonic 😀 Well I am keeping my fingers crossed 😉
Dec 07, 2009 @ 10:39:00
Very thoughtful of you to write about the people whose life’s work makes it possible for us to do our single day’s work!
Nice!
Preeti
Dhiman: Thank you… these are one of those ‘invisible’ people who keep our lives going smooth…
Dec 07, 2009 @ 12:40:10
Very refreshing read Dhiman. Yes…its always the story of unsung heroes and heroines which have the most beautiful and poignant emotions to present.
Good luck and cheers!
Dhiman: Thanks Shalini 😀 … Unsung heroes indeed ….
Dec 07, 2009 @ 21:45:35
Thats life…well written!!
🙂
Dhiman: Thanks a lot 😀
Dec 07, 2009 @ 23:11:51
Very well written .. these people are one of those who make a great contribution but yet are always taken for granted. Goodluck
Dhiman: Thank you… Yeah I just wanted to acknowledge their contribution to our lives …
Dec 08, 2009 @ 03:35:11
good post with pics
Dhiman: Thank you 😀
Dec 08, 2009 @ 12:50:22
Good post as usual Dhiman. Very nice narration!
Dhiman: Pra Thank you… I am glad that you liked it…
Dec 08, 2009 @ 15:04:49
Well…Life is so different for different people.
Nice Work!
Keep Smiling.
Dhiman: Yes we at times don’t have an idea that every one out there has a little story which is unique and different …
Dec 08, 2009 @ 16:31:27
Hey that was damn touching n it was beautiful Dhiman!! Do i need to say more?
Dhiman: Thank you so much … I am glad that this post could touch you and you liked it…
Dec 08, 2009 @ 16:53:57
Touching! In India where getting domestic help isn’t as much a hassle as in other places, we often overlook and take for granted the amount of ease and comfort these men/women Friday’s usher into our lives.
Dhiman: I would add getting a good, reliable domestic help is a problem definitely … actually in India some household just don’t function without men/women Fridays ….
Dec 09, 2009 @ 03:51:56
younger than you? and she does so much? :O god!! that’s really sad 😦 😦 That was a very touching story Dhiman. Too good. and very well written
Dhiman: Welcome back…Yes I too was surprised when I got to know that She is younger than me …. but in their societies they need to start working at a very young age…..Thank you Ashwini 😀
Dec 09, 2009 @ 17:52:49
reality indeed … thanks for sharing this with us ….. blog-a-ton or not this was a tale worth sharing
Dhiman: Thank you so much Naveen… I am glad that so many people liked the post …
Dec 09, 2009 @ 19:06:51
I would go to the extent of saying they’re the unsung heroes of many happy households,taken for granted almost at all times.!
Good post.
Dhiman: Yes Gyanban you are right people take them for granted and Thanks for the appreciation 🙂
Dec 11, 2009 @ 04:48:46
Hi Dhiman!
Thank you so much for voting me. 🙂
Dhiman: My pleasure Karthik! Your post deserved the vote 😀