Nanda and Salma are an inseparable part of my life. I cannot pass a single day without seeing them. I keep waiting for the doorbell to ring daily hoping its them. I welcome them in heaving a sigh of relief. Their very sight brings joy to my heart and makes it light.
No! They are not my daughters. Or my friends. They are not my neighbours neither my cousins. So who are they? They are” Maid in India”. Haha… Yes! Salma is my cook and Nanda the housekeeping maid.
My day begins with Salma’s calling bell. “Didi, aaj kya banana hai?”She chirps happily as she walks in and I happily chirp back” Ärey! Kuch bhi chalenga” (Some days I don’t even know the stock of vegetables in the fridge or the dal/rice in the kitchen cabinet) But Salma manages to prepare a decent meal- a healthy breakfast of idli/dosa/upma and a lunch dabba for me and family with rice and dal/sambar/sabji. That too in all of 60 minutes!
Next walks in our nepali beauty , Nanda. Her funny hindi itself brings a smile on my face. “Ladki kidhar hai?” will be her first question enquiring about my baby girl, Ammu as she searches for the broom. Ammu, a beginner in speaking sounds similar to Nanda. They both share a beautiful bond although they don’t understand a word of what each other speak. Language is never a barrier in human relationship. This I learnt from my 2 yr old and Nanda!. Nanda finishes her brooming in 5 minutes. As she goes to mop my naughty little one accompanies here , just to dip her hands in the dirty water ( I really don’t understand why kids love mop water and dirty buckets!..haha). Somedays she also cooks some quick oil free rotis for us after her cleaning work.
Covid was a real enemy for me. Not because it limited my travelling or socializing. But simply because during last last lockdown my apartment put a restriction on the entry of maids/cooks. Those were definitely one of the saddest/toughest days of my life. I am a person who never even washes a spoon ( slightly exaggerated but almost close) Here I had to cook, clean, wash and what not! That’s when I realized the importance of a Salma and a Nanda in our lives. How much we take them for granted! How much we bargain with them when they ask for a 100 rupee raise! How much we scold them if a hair is found on the floor or the sambar is less salty!
This year I have vowed never to through an ugly look on them. I have decided to support them as much as they support me. It may be a schoolbag for Salma’s son or through some ration for Nanda’s family. It may be through a leave on Id ul Fitr or a sweet box on Diwali. It may be through a bonus of 500 or small loan of 2000 which will be fully waived. I know many of you will agree with me. Wont you? Lets hear it for them who make our lives easier and comfortable…our special “MAID IN INDIA”
Comments