SOMEONE’S MINI-INDIA : OPEN IT UP PLEASE

Gaze critically all around the four walls which kept you safe all through the lock down. Walk around slowly yet deliberately from room to room. This sanctuary which kept you and your loved ones secure during the pandemic is the ‘Little India’ for scores of workers which used to get them their daily bread - apart from food and shelter but also providing for that Rs 200 note to pay for the doctor’s consultation and medicines when her family member is unwell, or used to assist  in paying up the school fee for her ward at the nearest Primary School.

So just as the days to this unprecedented lock down draw to a close, let’s open up this mini-India which spells L-I-V-E--L-I-H-O-O-D to some others.

·      Remember when you felt that the Living Room curtains require to be taken down for dry cleaning? Do it now.

·      Remember those knives the lady of the house asked you to get sharpened? Do it now.

·      Remember those clothes requiring alteration which you stuffed in the bottom shelf of your closet to give to the neighbourhood guy who sits with a sewing machine when you get the time ? Bring them out now.

·      Recollect that leaky faucet near the washing machine whose valve you shut to prevent those droplets messing up the floor and waited for that elusive Sunday when you’d call the plumber? Call him up now.

·      Remember those cotton sarees you wanted starched and those heavy woollens you wanted dry cleaned before packing them away as winter has abated? Get them out now.

·      Remember the petrol tank of your scooter which you felt had enough sludge to give to the pavement mechanic to clean? Prioritise it now.

·      Check when your RO was last serviced and even if there are still two months to go for the yearly paid service - call him up now.

·      The gas stove has helped you to spin off fantastic grub all this while yet it’s premature to get it serviced from the chap you call when it suddenly gives low flame due to the burners being clogged? Call him now.

·      Recollect that wall on which recently you had got some fresh wall tiles fixed in your clothes drying area but left the whitewash for later? Call up that guy now.

Let us all open up our homes to such precious people who wish to re-start their lives now that the immediate danger has seemingly passed. Let us give them access to   our homes for such work which we can easily afford - as for them this is their India.  Help re-start the grass root economy so that India bounces back again! 

Jai Hind !