The heroes among us ordinary people...

But how can I do it?
This is so difficult.
It is possible for them, but not for me.
Nice to know but... but... but...
I have my own life and its problems, you know?
Where is the time for all this?

Ever heard these refrains coming from your own mouth?

Now, read and see how ordinary people have done so much when they could have sat back doing nothing or at best bitching and moaning.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/11/16/cnnheroes.tribute.show/index.html

கனியம்மாவின் கல்வி தொடங்குகிறது... And, so the lessons begin...

Kaniamma has now started her basic lessons - she is now learning to write Tamil alphabets, English alphabets and the numerals. And, while she was practising her writing, I found this heart warming news about a 16 year old boy becoming a teacher for fellow children.
http://gimundo.com/news/article/babar-ali-16-creates-free-school-for-poor-villagers/
Now, that's some effort in the march towards literacy.

Not a child's day after all...

Yesterday, November 14, was yet another Children's day in India. Since 1963, the birthday of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru has been celebrated in India as Children's day - ostensibly as a celebration of childhood. For a change, teachers and parents perform cultural programs for the kids, prizes are up for grabs for children in several competitions, chocolates and treats to munch on, various functions mark the occasions, some kids work at NGOs and so on. A day filled with enough excitement, any way you look at it.

Yesterday, November 14 was also the day we got a new maid at home, Kaniamma. Depending on how you pronounce her name - கனி (Kani) means a Fruit or கன்னி (கன்னி) means a Virgin. அம்மா (Amma) means Mother but it is also used endearingly to call a woman of any age. Wearing a salwar kameez in the dark colour of grapes, her thin hair tied up in a tight ponytail and pinned up with a red plastic clip, the smooth skin on her cheeks belying her youthful innocence, கனி or கன்னி, whatever she may be, came to our home last noon, with just the clothes on her back.

Kani was working at a Doctor's home at Anna Nagar, about 20 Km from where I live. In just couple of hours, she told me thrice about having left her new Diwali dress back at that home. She had been told by her father that her mother was unwell and that she was going home to see her. She didn't pack her things as she had spare clothes in her home. When she came out, she was told that she was going to work in a different home, for hopefully a better pay. She was more worried about what she was going to wear the next day.

Her father accompanied her to our home to make sure she would be alright. He counselled her, "Be good, don't steal, don't tell lies, be sharp, learn keenly and don't be afraid. Take care of this place like your home." Then he turned to me and said, "Please take care of her. She is very young but will learn if you teach her anything." And, not so much as a warm hug or a bye, the poor father left her behind.

Kani helped with me the chores in the kitchen. Red ants have invaded my kitchen. I set about clearing the shelves, wiping them clean, putting Lakshman Rekha - the deadly ant killer chalk, fumigating the shelves with napthalene balls using my vacuum cleaner. She held on to the stool and watched all the fuss. She watched me cut vegetables for the biryani. She kept asking for another knife so she could also get down to it. I didn't have the heart to get her started. So, I told her that the other knives were a tad blunt. She washed a few dishes, ate her dinner, cleaned the kitchen counter and went to bed.

She was a chatty kid though - she is from a village near Cheyyar, Sakthi's home town. The youngest of 3 children, her parents are sharecroppers. Her father used to be a goatherd and now works on some fields with her older brother. Her mother stays home. Her sister is married with 2 kids and she came to Chennai at the age of 5 along with her sister. She remembers having studied up to the 5th grade but has no idea when she was born or her date of birth. She doesn't even remember which month she was born. When I asked her how old she was, she promptly answered, "16." According to the Child Labour Act in India, no child may be gainfully employed till she/he turns 14. Honestly, there was no way to tell if she was really 16 or was coached to say so. She looked like in her teens alright, but I could only hope I am not breaking any laws. Law or no law, it breaks my heart to see a child working at my home.

But then, what are her choices? She can go back home and work in the fields with her father. Or go to some other home and work just as hard. Or, should I just send her to school in an act of charity – will she begin again? She stopped going to school after her 5th coz she was scared of a 1-mile bus ride to the next town. Will she care to study now? Will her cash-starved parents let her stay in a school if at all? Or would I be imposing my will on the child? Perhaps, I could teach her while she is with me – although my earlier maid Little Flower (my maids have really original names!) showed no interest despite my effort. She got herself trained to be a great cook and excellent maid, if at all. She made herself employable at least. Would Kaniamma turn out to be like her? She has aged prematurely already. May be, the child in her will survive, nevertheless. I have my worries and she has hers, like her beautiful Diwali dress that she misses.