Timeless memory....

A couple named Chaganbhai and Jhamkhuben must be in their mid fiftees, having less than 1 lakh income per annum. Chaganbhai being a government class 4 employee and jhamkhuben being a maid at several places where she gives household services like cleaning vessels, washing clothes, doing sweeping etc. Jhamkhuben has not taken any formal education but she has tremendous practical insights of the world... They live in  very small house and in that house, they had courage to nurture four daughters namely Dadam, Anita, Meena, Heera and one son Jeetu. Due to legacy of household work, daughters from their young age were helping their mother Jhamkhuben. I am witness to this routine more than two decades... I have seen Jhamkhuben and chaganbhai managing their resources in terms of marriage, delivery of daughters and daughter in law , hospitalisation of one or the other family member and still they have their extended family in their village near Rajasthan. Many a times, we unintentionally scold our household helps for not doing work properly, for not coming on time or for that matter, whenever they ask for leave, we generally first say no or what we do, is we negotiate with them for some extra work....We do, we do all this and it is our routine...Still, "they" - (either our maids, our drivers, our peons), they still manage to come to our homes with a big or small smile and do their work either humming their favourite songs, or bhajans or silently in their thought processes...But they let go our scoldings and they come very next day...Jhamkuben was no exception in this routine. She used to do her work in most peaceful manner with most preciseness. She also takes pride in doing the work so appropriately...We also appreciate her on and off...

....same routine was to be expected yesterday, but....news came....unexpected news...today Jhamkhuben will not come for work. Normal question with brows of eye raised, Why???? and the another maid said "Meena expired"... ... ...

... ... ...Silence in kitchen, I asked what ? Meena is only twenty four, she has a son of three year old, so what if she was remaining ill, but she cant leave this world....and tears rolled down the cheeks. Suddenly the memories of Meena from a very small girl to a mother of son flashed before the eyes within fraction of seconds...suddenly the mind and heart started visualising Jhamkhuben and Chaganbhai - the parents who had raised this girl...Suddenly the emotional quotient got disturbed...They are unconsolable. I was also unconsolable....The whole family of Meena will be  unconsolable for years to come.

When I visited their home today to pay tribute to Meena, I was speechless to see their small home which is half the size of my bedroom, and I was wondering with so less facilities, the couple had managed to spread smiles across the family for so many decades and today, they are facing the life's toughest tragedy of losing a young daughter...I was aghast to hear the various rituals of their community. I was aghast to know their community's societal norms of raising daughters and then sending to their husbands place without giving any marriage counselling in their young age..I was aghast to see the mother and all sisters of Meena in almost shattered condition. I am still speechless while writing this tribute...

I had no words except take care jhamkhuben... Deaths are painful, very painful, but when we see such tragedies in such homes, we realise the importance of our maids - they might be less financially stable, but they are still human beings...

Jhamkhuben will not be the same jhamkhuben who used to hum songs and smile while doing work...

Meena has become a  timeless memory...Rest in Peace Meena...

I will remember you and miss your innocence as a daughter and shyness as daughter in law...