I feel amazed some times about the disciplined life these normal people live and feel bad that sometimes this much needed discipline does not exist in us, the so called white collared corporate pros.
We have a maid at our home by name Gouramma, who works for us about 2 Hrs a day. I never speak to her, but my wife keeps updating me about her. Some of the facts about Gouramma's life are really interesting and made me take a curious look into her life.
Her husband works for a factory on whose salary her family runs. And she works for about 5-6 houses per day. All her income goes towards the education of her 15 year old son and his future. You know what? Her son studies in a private school in English medium! She has paid donation to get the seat there and still pays about Rs.10,000/- fees per year! This fee is much higher than what I paid for whole of schooling and 12th std.
I see some people cribbing about the cosmopolitan growth of Bangalore and other cities. They talk about digital divide and big gap between 'have's and 'have not's. Such differences take mammoth shape in the incidents like riots in Bangalore during Dr.Raj's death.
But can't we look at some of the good and positive developments such growth has brought in the lives of some of the ordinary people and the awareness that they got in life? I feel there is an intense change in the very outlook of these people. There are some good souls in these people who can keep their head straight despite all that is happening to their good city and still think positively. One among such people is our Gouramma.
Her thinking capabilities, strategy and execution skills are praise worthy. Can you imagine? She has two TV sets at her tiny house. One is color and other one B&W. They watch only B&W TV every day as she feels it will spoil her son's studies. Color TV is brought out only on festival and holiday occasions! What a noble thought! I feel bad we don’t take such minimum precautions for our children!
Coming to her financial management skills, she had a small site measuring 20x30 which her mother had earned through her hard work would achieve at the end of her 25 years of working at well known breweries company in Bangalore. She has built two houses in that site and leased out one of them. That’s how she has guarded her family and her future.
It is not that she has come smoothly all along the way. She has gone through all the ups and downs of life. Her husband was a drunkard and he used to harass her every day and spend all his money on his habits. This is where Gouramma made up her mind and decided to show him the door. She sent him out of the house for some months and warned him not to return unless he quits all his bad habits and lives a decent life. She did not have any problem as she was independent, courageous and living in her own house with her son.
Her husband after few months realized the reality and his mistakes and returned home. Now he is living the life of a goodie goodie husband!
People like Gouramma truly stand out as unique personalities with their vision, strategy, grit and determination to succeed despite of all the limitations and odds that they face along the way.
