Step out in style
They sang, danced and acted this is how six domestic workers from Mumbai spent Women’s Day
In the end, they needed only a little coaxing to get on stage. At Mere Rang Anek, an open mic night organised for household help at Pitaara studio in Goregaon, six domestic workers from Mumbai’s middle class homes showcased their talents for the first time.
Some sang, some danced. One even based her stand-up routine on the hilarious adventures of being a maid in Mumbai.
“Madam wants less ghee on her chapatis, she wants less oil in the vegetables,” narrated Deepika Mhatre, 42, who sells trinkets on local trains before heading to five homes to cook. “Why? To lose weight, she says. Arrey then why keep that big block of cheese for me to grate into sandwiches?”
The audience, a mix of employers and help, were in splits. They loved it even more when Anita Shetty, a 25-year-old single mother, danced to Bollywood hits; followed by her young son, Rohit, singing a song. “I’d never heard of Women’s Day until my son gave me sweets today. He’s my biggest support,” she said.
For others like Ragini Yerunkar, who at 48 had never sung publicly before, Women’s Day was an unknown but welcome excuse to debut a talent. “I was a bit scared,” she said. “And now I think I can do anything!”
Sangeeta Vyas who runs Pitaara says she’s been organising initiatives to help domestic workers in her neighbourhood for years. “But we don’t know what our maids are capable of apart from doing the dishes. And since Pitaara is a platform for all arts, this seemed like a great idea.”
Mhatre’s comedy routine, like the best acts anywhere, came from life. There were bits about the double standards for women (Why can’t my husband fast for my health for a change?) and for maids (How is it that when your child is sick you want me, but otherwise I’m not good enough to take the lift with you?)
She was especially glad to discover Women’s Day.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is looking for details of properties owned by the men who were caught peddling hashish worth Rs2 crore on Monday.
The police were tracking the truck, which started from Jammu and Kashmir, for three days. “The drugs were concealed in a false cavity in the truck,” said Kumar Sanjay Jha, zonal director, NCB, Mumbai and Goa region.
According to the police, Peter Fernandez and Mohammed Asif were to receive the consignment, which was to be further distributed to several peddlers. The truck was followed by NCB sleuths from Nashik and later to Pune before it was finally intercepted at Mumbra. The driver, Khurshid Ahmed, Fernandez and Mohammed Asif have been arrested.
“We are investigating the money involved in the case. The property details and the financial transactions of the accused are under the scanner,” said an officer requesting anonymity.
Investigations are on to ascertain if more people are involved in the racket. The NCB is also investigating how the accused have been bringing in the contraband from the Valley to the city without being intercepted anywhere. Kashmiri hashish is in demand in the city because of its purity.