I grew up with a high regard for our housemaids, to the point that I would emulate their job and demand a fee later. For instance, in my aunt’s house in Kolkata, I would do a few chores like washing the dishes, dusting the shelves and my aunt would hand me a hundred rupee note after. I grew up to love doing dishes to the point that I would offer to help our mashi (housemaid, in Bengali). I was amazed by how she would go to at least ten houses per day and do not only dishes, but also jhadu (dusting) and pocha (mopping).
When I was in ninth grade, my friend in Pune had a knack for cleaning and she made sure that we kept the kitchen counter clean and organized while we experimented in the kitchen. Then came the post eating rituals. It was something as simple as keeping our dishes in the sink, throwing leftovers in the dustbin and pouring a little bit of tap water into our empty coffee mugs so that its easier for the bai (housemaid, in Marathi) to do the dishes.
Today when I look back, there is a sense of haughtiness that comes from being able to do chores without a sweat of frustration and I scorn at those who scorn at doing household chores. I am grateful that I grew up in an environment where I was encouraged to help our mashi do the dishes or at times forced to do my own dishes when mashi did not turn up, I am grateful to friends and their families who did not treat me like a privileged guest, but as a part of their own family and I was expected to keep the dishes in the sink like every other member. It’s made my life easier in the times of lockdown and otherwise where I now clean my own room, do my dishes and clean up the kitchen counter each time I cook something for my family. Some of my friends are struggling now and I, I laugh in the face of their adversity!
Literature, Poetry and Reading. 