Today my maid made a very valid observation which had been a known fact, subject of conversation among our circles which ultimately lead us nowhere. Well, the topic is not difficult to guess-CORRUPTION in High places PERCOLATING DOWNWORDS. Even as she was mopping the floor, she began, (earlier she was talking to the sweeper woman and I knew they were exchanging notes about their common problem- getting their monthly pension of rs.1000/ granted by the government which was suddenly stopped), ‘We don’t blame the government at all ,it is the fault of the people in the corporation who are favouring a select few and pocketing the rest depriving the deserving like me and Devi of the money that is due’, she said.’
what is the criteria of their selection? I asked.
‘You know amma, women who go to the Tasildar’s office for repeating their request for restoring pension are deliberately dressed in old tattered saris and don’t wear any gold /artificial jewelery. Their appearance is enough to win the sympathy of the officials and act ‘ she said and added,’ I would rather go dressed well wearing the megre jewelley I have, than looking like the poorest of poor women’.
It was only then I noticed the synthetic sari with bright floral dezigns and a matching blouse she was wearing with the right accessories. Devi too was dressed decently and tastefully like her and both appeared as though they were office goers, certainly not domestic help!
N Meera Raghavendra Rao
Just Li'Es 