The one person whose role was restricted to washing utensils and sweeping/mopping the house- in the past only a few who could afford having a maid hired her. The scene has changed drastically. You will hardly find a single household who doesn’t employ a maid. From cleaning utensils and sweeping/mopping and washing clothes, she has been promoted to a cook, a person who manages all odd jobs like cutting veggies, folding clothes, dusting furniture, a nanny at times- her role has indeed transformed big time.
She definitely deserves an ode- an interview which looks at her life through her eyes.
- Your role has evolved big time over the years, how do you feel about it?It feels good to see that we have become such an integral part of people’s life. As soon as a new family or bachelors move in, the first question they ask is “Achi Bai mileage kya?” In the earlier times as most women stayed at home, they did the housework by themselves. But trends are changing now. With so many of them working, they need a helping hand. It feels good to see we are in demand. WE can call the shots at times. By threatening to leave if we are ill treated. There is no dearth of jobs. We don’t have to worry about recession or layoffs.
- People grumble you take too many leaves and give no prior intimation at times. Don’t you think you need to be more professional with changing times– Arree everyone takes these false sick leaves right, so why not us? I usually inform my employers in advance if I am taking a few days of vacation or extended leave and also arrange for one of the other bai to fill me in. Rather than asking me to be professional, don’t you think as employers you should formulate a certain number of sick days, privilege leave and casual leave for us. You think about it now
- What are your views about “period leave”- everyone is going gung ho about it. What do I say now? These ladies are priveleged. My DIL is merely 22 years old, she underwent a miscarriage. With a bleeding uterus, she went to work and toiled the whole day. Washing vessels, clothes in cold water. Then she came home and cooked for the family. I do not expect such privileges, we are used to working hard, braving all odds. But it would be good if some of these memsaabs could show some kindness when we tell them that we have a terrible back ache or stomach pain. They usually think we are faking it. Mrs Mehra of 13th floor is such a ruthless one- she was busy talking about some “nari shakti” (women empowerment) sXXX to her friends. Not a drop of mercy she showed to her 9 month pregnant maid who was struggling to mop the floor.
- What are your dreams for your children. Looking at the luxuries in the homes of people you work for, you must be yearning for a better life for your people. Of course did who doesn’t want to get out of this rut. Life is not easy for the memsaabs too. They work in office then come home and need to spend time with their kids. But at least they don’t have to come back to their own house and do all the work that they did in the past 8 hours again. We need to do this for our own people- imagine how tiring it is. I hope my kids have a better future, but we are content with our life now. We have a hand to mouth existence but we are happy under this thatched roof, sharing bhakri and mirchi for dinner. Looking at my Saabs and meemsaabs, they look lesser happy though have every comfort in life.
- A good gesture by any Saab/memsaab that brightened your day? One of these memsaabs Brinda who is a writer and writes lot of things which people read, wrote about me recently. She told me that it was called “A working mom no one talks about”. Many people liked it and she even won an award for it. I felt happy to be addressed as a working mom. Feels good.
This post has been inspired by Ratnamala Maushi, Basamma and the scores of maids I have met. Though their role in my house has been limited to sweeping/mopping and bathing my baby till she was 4 months old, we share a bond which is much beyond the daily job. They inspire me by their resilience and the way they take on each day with a. smile on their face despite their challenging circumstances.
www.akswrites.com 
Surviving without my maid is unimaginable for me. I am highly dependent on her. And she knows it but she doesn’t take advantage of it. Rather she is considerate about my needs. I feel blessed to have such a sincere helping hand. Nice to acknowledge them Akshata and feature their views on your blog.
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Thanks Aesha!
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Tell me about it. I had a tough time last week as my maid was bereaved. I could not say anything to her. Since she is at my home during daytime, she is my only companion. We watch movies, have tea and snacks and she offloads her daily tribulations. It is a mutually beneficial relation.
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This is such a great interview. Kudos to you for thinking out of the box and interviewing her. We all feel so helpless the day they are absent yet we often take them for granted. Good Job Akshata.
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Thanks Balaka. I thought rather than featuring a regular interview let’s talk to someone who is seldom thought about
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They are an indispensable part of our lives. I have always felt indebted to all of these ‘working women’ as without them life would have been difficult. Great read !
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True Meha! Thanks dear friend for reading and commenting
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This is a great interview. Something that should be read by many. Esp about their rights, which most of us neglect when we shout about women empowerment whenever there’a chance.
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True Sheethal we talk about equality and women empowerment often forgetting that they are working moms too. Thanks for reading
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Kudos to you for highlighting a set of women who toil harder than most of us yet remain unseen, rather the society chooses not to see them.
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True Bhavya thanks a lot for stopping by
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This is a great interview! They work so hard too!
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Thanks Zainab! Yes it’s so true
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So happy to hear from those who often have no voice. Thanks for featuring her.
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True that’s the reason I wanted to feature them. Thanks for stopping by
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Working women or SAHM all mom’s work all the time.I would not be able to do it all without my favourite helpers around .They are my angels too!
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True Doc! Rightly said. All moms work all the time
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We know this but many do not wish to acknowledge it… Our Maids are human too! They are as back and white as most of us!
Thought provoking interview.
–Anagha From Team Mocktailmommies
https://mocktailmommies.blogspot.com
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Very true Anagha they need their due too
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You have reasearched and written this really well form the maid’s point of view. Yes they are unlucky to have no sick leaves or such and hear so much scolding from us over everything! Reading this made me feel guilty about how I treat my maid at times too Aks! Thank you for sharing this POV
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This is excellent! Such a different take on the regular interviews/guest posts. It was an enlightening read.
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Thanks so much. I was tired if the regular stuff and wanted to do something different. Glad to see people liked it!
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I loved your take yet again, Akshata! Yours has been one of my fave blogs during this challenge. This was an enjoyable read…and realistic too. The comparison between the rich and poor, the armchair feminist activist who is immune to her maid´s sufferings, the period leave opinion…all these little big details makes this interview shine for me. Hugs!
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Aww thanks dear Tina! I am glad to have got to know you better through this challenge and see so many similarities. Loved your blogs as well. Love
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The feeling is mutual, my love! Hugs! 🙂
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