Helping Hands
Do we ever consciously reflect on the contribution of our domestic help—our cooks, housekeepers, and caregivers—in our daily lives? Do we pause to acknowledge the milkman, the newspaper hawker, the laundry person, the garbage collector? Or the need-based skilled workers—the plumber, electrician, mechanic, carpenter, driver, puncture-fixer, painter, mason—who step in precisely when we need them the most?
The peace their services bring, especially when a fault is fixed or a repair is done satisfactorily, is simply priceless—even when we pay them their rightful charges. Their mere presence, at the right moment, has the power to lift our moods.
For ease of grouping, let us also include services we avail from Uber and Ola, and delivery platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, and Instamart. Yes, we pay for these services too—but the convenience they bring to our doorsteps is invaluable.
I call this entire set of people—who serve us directly at our homes—Farishtay, or Angels. Unmindful of harsh weather and difficult conditions, they show up to serve us, bound only by agreed or contractual terms.
These are the people who soil their hands so that our lives remain clean and comfortable. Those who drive through chaotic roads for Uber, Ola, Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, or Instamart often risk their lives just to deliver what we ordered.
Irrespective of who we are, what we own, or the empires we may run, we all depend on these individuals—daily or when the need arises. Without them, all the wealth we represent loses its meaning. Think of the Bangalore rains, when the geographical location of your villa or mansion suddenly changes from land-locked to an island, and you need someone to row you out—at any price. The same story repeats every year when rains wreak havoc across cities, villages, and hills, challenging our very existence.
These service providers—largely from the unorganised sector—deserve our silent prayers and heartfelt gratitude. Their well-being, and that of their families, directly contributes to our own well-being.
Let’s celebrate January 1st every year to wish for safety, prosperity and well being of Helping Hands & their families.