Sharda trys to understand her place in society
Elmy | 30 July 2004, 9:29pm
After freshening up the kids go down to play.
Sharda's heart is pounding, she is awaiting when Savitri will call her and ask her to go down and play with the kids.
Savitri calls "Sharda";
Sharda thinks yes that
Current Mood: Gloomy
Current Music: Hum us desh ke wasi hain
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Children Arrive
Elmy | 29 July 2004, 10:11pm
Sharda is out of the bathroom after finishing the clothes, She is sent to the balcony to dry the clothes.
Ding Dong " The children have arrived." Sharda has just finished drying the clothes and is walking towards the hall when Savitri calls.
"Sharda put the kids shoes away, and come to the kitchen quickly." Sharda runs to the hall, where the kids are watching cartoon network. She picks the shoes up and stands there watching the cartoon. A funny scene, she starts giggling.
Bang...a spoon comes flying at her. She looks towards the kitchen aghast, Savitri "What the hell are you doing there, I will do one thing. I will put one TV in every room, so where ever you go you can watch the TV."
The childish Innocence takes over sharda, she asks "really akka."
It drives Savitri crazy, she walks upto Sharda and drags her by the ear to the kitchen, where a tray of goodies is kept. She tells her "Every day when the kids are back, you need to serve them with this." " And never forget to put the milk glass in Madans tray."
Sharda is back serving the kids, not a glance towards the TV. (My Thoughts : Probably her ears are still paining). Bang goes the milk glass, "I dont want the milk, how many times have I told you Mom. Hey stupid wrench never you bring this milk to me understood."
Savitri "Madan behave your self. Sharda amma can you clean that milk right away."
Next Play time, Sharda realises that she has no right to play .....
Current Mood: Crude
Current Music: Jaane kahan gaye woh din
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Day 1
Elmy | 28 July 2004, 10:59am
Day 1,
Sharda is dropped at Ameerpet by her mother. She is introduced to the lady of the house, Savitri.
Savitri has three kids the eldest is Madan a 10 yr old, the next is Mithali a 8 yr old and the youngest Shailesh a 3 yr old.
The elder kids are out at school, and first day of work starts for Sharda. She weeps a bit as her mother bids farewell, but is chided by her mother and Savitri. Savitri tells her, "Stop crying in this house. There has been no death. Keep all that crying with your mother, I do not want another sob in this house... Artham Chesikonu"
She is marched to the kitchen, where a piles of dirty dishes lay. She starts the cleaning, while Savitri lops on the sofa, to watch the afternoon Soap.
5 minutes go by and Savitri "Sharda get me a glass of water." Sharda fills in the water from the tap and takes it to Savitri. Savitri gets up with a furious scowl, and says " Never get water from the tap directly." Drags Sharda to the fridge and shows her the bottles and asks her to fetch water from here.
Emotionally tormented Sharda wants to cry, but does not as she fears that it could upset Savitri.
There are 3 water trips she makes in the next hour and answers the door bell twice. Savitri storms into the kitchen " Are you gonna wash the dishes all day, who is gonna do the other house work ?"
Well the dishes, sweeping and mopping finish by 3:00 pm. Sharda is ushered in the bathroom to wash the clothes. (This is not supposed to be a part of the job!! Who cares, we are paying her 60 bucks and food, clothing and shelter).
Next children arrive and the first evening spent .....
Current Mood: Angry
Current Music: Desi
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Story of Sharda (1990)
Elmy | 28 July 2004, 12:18am
Sharda Amma, age 9 yrs. Sharda
Current Mood: Worried
Current Music: Indian
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Introduction
Elmy | 27 July 2004, 11:57am
The basic rights of all humans towards one another should be equality. Unfortunately, one such section of the Indian society, does not enjoy this right.
Its the Dai, the ayya, the akka, the naukrani, the kamwali. Its the domestic help.
This blog is dedicated to this strata of society. The Domestic Helper and their exploitation.
Current Mood: Desperate
Current Music: Desi
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