Maid in heaven(or India!)

I read an article in the paper today by an expat who had written about the way we (Indians) treat our maids , servants and other domestic help in our daily lives. I could not agree more with the article as this has often been the point of discussion with my kids too.

The Ten Golden Rules of Indians-With Regard to Maids and Miscellaneous House-Help

Rule no.1: It is taboo to exchange greetings or pleasantries with them.

Rule no.2:

Clause a) If they don't turn up for a day, screaming at them the moment they are in sight the following day is in order.

Clause b) It is imperative that they are never given a chance to explain the reason for their absence.

Rule no.3:

Clause a) Bonus payment is only authorised in situations wherein some extra favour is required from them .eg. they have to wash more utensils when guests are around, they have to do couple of extra chores,etc.

Clause b) Money offered for a good cause is strictly forbidden.

Clause c) That money is required, instead, to be spent on shopping and cheap sales.

Rule no.4:

Clause a) Never introduce them to the guests or relatives.

Clause b) Treating them as though they don't exist is recommended.

Clause c) Panic at their absence when guests are around should not be revealed at any cost.

Rule no.5:

Clause a) Encouragement of kids and other members who are younger in age to the maid to address them by their first name is recommended.

Clause b) Take the liberty to talk to them in the rudest manner possible.

Rule no.6: Any eatable or beverage provided to them should never be freshly made or undiluted. They are forbidden from having the coffee or tea of the same quality as we do.

Rule no.7: Any children of theirs, if present, are banned from sitting on our chairs or sofa touching any of our children's toys.

Rule no.8:

Clause a) Clothes may only be given to them if they are in the most deplorable condition possible.

Clause b) While gifting them dresses or materials for Diwali, only ones available on a 1+1 free offer may be given.

Rule no.9: Despite the fact that maids are hired to wash the bathrooms and toilets, they are strictly forbidden from using them, for it will be considered a sin.

Rule no.10: Never ever make it obvious to them that you can't survive without them. Always behave as though you can chuck her/him out any time you want (and secretly pray that they don't leave you in the lurch!)

Since I am a rebel and an expert at flouting rules, I do not employ a maid.

PS: I have not been shunned from society so far.

Paa

I watched the movie "Paa" with the kids last weekend. Amitabh is excellent as a kid affected with progeria (premature ageing). Dialogues and the support cast are great too. Listening to Bhavatharini singing the remixed version of "Sangathil Padatha Kavithai" (one of my Illayaraja favs) in Hindi was nice.

But what irks me about films of stars like Amitabh or Kamalhaasan is that , even after years of showcasing their talent and having bagged the best awards , these actors are only concentrating on their histrionics when they can actually contribute to the film industry by making much more meaningful cinema. Instead of focusing on the disease and its effects on the family, in this case , progeria, the film focuses on Amitabh's ability to do justice to the role. After years of experience, nobody expects him to actually make a mess of such a role. But being his own production , why couldn't he have dealt with the subject in a more serious way? Why is the focus only on making more money for his production house? When Aamir Khan, through Taare Zameen Par, was successful in bringing out the plight of dyslexic children so well, pushing himself to the background, why aren't stars like Amitabh and Kamalhaasan doing the same ? Why , even after years of making money, are they not involved in serious issues of the society; utilizing their fan following to make something more thought-provoking?

Annual day

The children had their annual school day. All these years I have never been a volunteer parent to help out children with their make-up , costumes etc. But this year, since my daughter had to change her costume in between the scenes in her play, I was requested to come and help out- and what a day it turned out to be! It was amusing to see the boys trying to hold up their dhotis and adjusting their fakes moustaches all at the same time. There was a King sitting in one corner and munching his wafers. Another king and his courtier were walking hand in hand around the campus. The puny dancers were weighed down by their heavy salangais and were literally holding each other for support. The parents were helping out each other with pins, slides and make up kits. The teachers and parents were chatting around in a totally different atmosphere than the usual formal one. I was actually thinking of the exciting school day functions of my times and I remembered that I used to be conscious of the lipstick applied. Just then, interrupting my thoughts, a small boy turned around and asked me "Aunty, is my lipstick still on? Because just now, I drank water"". I had a hearty laugh before reassuring him that everything was fine.
After the exciting and tiring day, I have decided to volunteer regularly from now on, not wanting to miss the fun and excitement the children have on that day, especially the real drama that goes on backstage.