ALL EXPENSES PAID, THIRTY YEARS AGO
“Privilege is the blindfold that keeps you from truly seeing the problems of others.” Unknown O ne of my uncles (mom’s cousin), who is in his late-seventies, was born and brought up in Bombay. He has some inspiring stories relating to his mother (my maternal grandma’s sister). Due to polio, she had a crippled leg. Back then, the poverty in their village had compelled little children to migrate to this city and work as house helps in Fort area. She, eventually, got married and started living in a tiny room in one of those over-inhabited buildings. My uncle fondly narrates to us stories of his mother’s struggle during those days… how she ran a mess to serve hot meals for young bachelors from her village (Mangalore)… how she would provide shelter for many young, poor migrants from Mangalore… how, soon, she would help boys to find a better shelter in a community club, and girls in a hostel etc.… This seemed to be her life-mission. “My sisters and I were very small...