One of our giant automotive customer has been working with us since 8 long years, though we win the contract every year, never ever have they rated us 5/5 for customer satisfaction. But the tables turned this year when Mrs. Anna took over as the Tech Lead, worked to find the root cause, analyzed it and delivered as per the customer needs. Mrs. Anna we are honored to have you on board” announced the host of the evening.
There was an ear breaking applause as Mrs. Anna made her way up the podium to receive the award for Outstanding Woman Achiever of the year 2018.
“One day I will be like her” I told myself, simultaneously, mentally checking if I had everything at home to make Bhindi ki sabzi.
As it was Women’s Day the otherwise dull workplace was full of vibrant colors and chirpy women dressed in their best traditional attires. The department even gave us a pretty handbag which was more valuable because it was bought directly from specially-abled women.
On my way back I stopped at a branded samosa- kachori store to get some delicacies for my husband. After all apart from supporting me in running our household, he is kind enough to let me exploit his credit card way more than required.
By the way, for those who are wondering if there is actually a Branded- Samosa- Kachori Store? Yes, there is a brand for literally everything under the sun in the city of Bengaluru.
Back at home while we both were digging our teeth to the mouth watering snacks, our maid entered looking tired and exhausted. I felt a sharp pain rising in my heart. Here I was privileged enough to understand and celebrate a day that honored women internationally while this woman who works for me day in and day out was probably having a bad day.
I went in, grabbed the handbag I got from office, wrapped it and gifted her. She flashed me one of her best smiles and politely accepted the present. She was clueless about woman’s day and she clearly didn’t care, for at that moment she was a mother who wanted to get off work as quickly as possible and give that bag to her daughter.
Because that is what a woman is, A Giver!
That day I found myself standing face to face with reality.
Reality that was visible in her tanned skin.
Reality shining through her wrinkled eyes.
Reality in her bony physique.
Reality of a woman deprived of her basic human rights.
This woman who is often the victim of my bizarre mood swings runs her household with meager salary, educates her two children and supports a boneless and jobless husband.
Her day starts with the crack of the dawn for she must get up and finish her morning prayers before the children get up. She feeds the chicken afterwards, cleans the house, prepares food for her children, wakes them up, bathe them and finally drops them off to school.
She directly goes to work from there. She has menstrual cramps but she can’t take a day off.
In her break time she goes to check if the kids have returned from school. Her heart finds itself in peace when she finds the kids doing their homework. They have started to speak in English, something she could never do.
She finds the husband’s bed empty, silently hopes that he might find some decent job today and get some money home. She again rushes back to work.
Her day at work ends at 7:00 pm. Tired and exhausted after cooking dinner and putting the kids to bed she goes to her room. A strong smell of alcohol greets her, her husband is waiting for her with a malicious grin. She knows what it is. She is expected to bend over backwards because that is what she is supposed to do, be an ideal wife at the end of the day.
An ideal wife to a penniless husband, that is what her mother told her, satisfy his ego!
She cries, cries and cries. Cries on her silent existence unaware that there are women out there to help her, to support her and she is not alone.
If you are with me till this line, then whatsoever your gender maybe, try and educate women who are still clutched inside the walls of unawareness.
Help them find a way in darkness, and they will help you find a PURPOSE IN LIFE!
Because, some smiles that are free of lipsticks,Some eyes that are free of heavy mascara often reach your heart through a tunnel you didn’t even know existed.