I was upset with whatever happened last night. lengthy discussions, exchange of hot words and what not? It was just ridiculous. I didn't want to interfere in between but had to, after all it was a matter of an innocent child who was actually being blamed for carelessness. Dhanu was only ten years old and she was working as a house maid at Neena's house.
During the times when child labour is considered a serious crime I was surprised to see a child working at my friend Neena's house who was herself a lawyer. I asked her about it but she simply smiled and said, " yaar sab chalta hai". Whole day, I saw Dhanu working and doing the household chores like washing the dishes, scrubbing the floor, dusting the furniture and along with that had to become the victim of everyone's anger and annoyance.
Among all the hassles and troubles, the poor girl kept working and smiling, after all she had to earn bread for her and a meagre sum of four hundered rupees for her family in which she had parents and four younger sisters. Her mother was busy with the youngest baby who was just eight months old and father most of the times drunken.
I was surprised to see, how a child had to become mature at the innocent age of ten if his or her family is not there to support. The prime fault of the torture on this child of course lied with her parents but to me Neena was also a criminal.
Neena was getting ready for the evening party and had instructed Dhanu to clean up the crockery.The little girl with tiny hands was doing the cups and saucers gently but when it came upto the big bowl, she just couldn't made it and within seconds it was broken into the pieces.
Neena could very well hear the sound of breaking crockery, she came running and sat on the flour to watch her favourite set of crockery loosing a component. She just couldn't hold herself, she had caught Dhanu from her hair and slapped on her face.
The little girl didn't even say anything but me and Neena's husband, Ranjit couldn't see this happening to a litlle child. We tried to make Neena understand the things but she was so angry that she didn't want to leave the girl go without punishment. In the meantime, Ranjit got up and slapped Neena on her face.
The matter caught fire and now Dhanu was watching three of us debating and exchanging hot words.
Today I have decided to talk to Dhanu's parents about sending their child to school. I am ready to keep Dhanu's father as gardener in my ancestoral land on a salary if he agrees but not sure what will happen next.