Titli kay se banti hai?

“Titli kay se banti hai?” asks Sonu. She is 5 years old daughter of Reshambai, our maid. In spite of our strong resistance, she brings her to work with her. “Sab to kaam karvate hain, ek tumhi ko bura lagta hai” she argues. Of course, Sonu working with her can help her finish the work quicker than she can working alone (simple maths); letting her work in more houses, resulting in more money (even simpler maths). However, if you think that Reshambai is among the exploited BPL (below poverty line, for the uninitiated) people, then perhaps you should know that her family is amongst the richest ones, back in her native village near Jhabua.

This makes me see a parallel between Reshambai and our colleagues working abroad. No offence intended here. Our dear friends, are working abroad long hours, doing the job that most locals wouldn’t do (that’s not quality work), but are still underpaid. They save every penny, hoping that some day they will return to India, and will become rich & famous in this so called backward & corrupt nation.

May the day come. Till then, “Titli ko bhi Bhagwaan banate hain, jaise Bhagwaan ne humein banaya hai. Isliye titliyon ko pareshaan nahin karna chahiye, kya pata marne ke baad humein bhi agle janam me Bhagwaan titli banaye” my mom tells Sonu. Sonu is content, learning in a school, away from school.