My Maids: My Friends
People whom I miss most here in Belgium are my maids who were once my support system, my housekeepers and my friends too !
When my daughter Sai was a baby, I opted not to keep a maid for household chores because I was of the opinion that my home is my responsibility and being away from work life, managing household chores would give me sense of satisfaction. With my Mom’s persuasion, I hired an old Aaji for washing utensils after 2-3 months. Sai had started crawling by then and she used to go to the Aaji and sit along with her. She would lovingly call my daughter ‘Saya’ and Sai used to listen to her attentively. Such was the bond between them.
We shifted the home and we had to say goodbye to Aaji.
We shifted the home and we had to say goodbye to Aaji.
Another home, Janabai entered my life and we became instant friends. Immensely hardworking, talkative, clever, quick with work, she could talk to me on any topic right from household stuff to Indian politics Once aspired to be a policewoman, she was married off early. She is three years elder to me and already has become granny!!! When I went to her home to meet her newborn grandson, she was immensely happy to greet me. Living in small one room kitchen with family of five people, she bore many hardships in her life. I could see her everyday struggle. When I left Pune, we said goodbye with heavy heart.
When I resumed working, I asked Sita Bhabhi who was a migrated Nepali citizen to fold our clothes and arrange cleaned utensils. Sita is another hard working lady. There is magic in her hands. Anything that she touches becomes extra neat and clean. We were not talking much as I was busy with my exams. But, we used to have tea together if she had come at tea time.
My opinion about maids have changed completely. We automatically become employer for them and with hard-earned money, maids can support their families. Both my maids never took extra leaves. I always told them they could take leave whenever they want provided they tell me in advance. We are entitled to weekend off and look forward to weekends after working for five days. So, if they take leave for any trivial issue or even once a week, it should not be a problem. They are humans after all…Most often; maid like Janabai has to manage her own household chores apart from working at several households. Therefore, in a true sense, there is never a ‘leave’ from work in her life.
I hear complaints from many people about their maids. I was fortunate enough to get very good maids till now. So, I haven’t experienced much negative about them. My family could work in order because of my maids. I have realized now, that they were true friends for me. They have helped me to grow as I could get precious time for my family and myself. Friend in need is a friend indeed!
My sincere request to treat maids with respect. As you expect your employer to be nice with you, so is the case with your maids. There will be friction sometimes, but acknowledge their daily struggle. We are far much better off than they are. They may not be your friends, but they are humans just like us.
At last, my sincere gratitude towards Aajibai, Janabai and Sita Bhabhi for whatever they have done for me. I miss them as I could see my everyday struggle to manage household chores, which I am not good at !
At last, my sincere gratitude towards Aajibai, Janabai and Sita Bhabhi for whatever they have done for me. I miss them as I could see my everyday struggle to manage household chores, which I am not good at !
