"Adversity" is nothing more than just another word in the lexicon or thesaurus and the indomitable and all conquering human will can leave behind any adversity and circumstance provided one puts his/her mind, body and soul together to overcome seemingly unconquerable hurdles as the following narrative will, prove once and for all.......
A mother and her daughter who are long time residents of a sprawling Andheri (Mumbai) slum will be appearing for their SSC exams together in a few days time with 15 year old Shweta proving to be her mother 41 year old Jayashree Kanam's inspiration, educator, motivator and pillar of support.......
Untold tragedy and misery struck the Kanam clan way back in 2005 when their sole bread winner and pillar of support Jayant Kanam was swept away by the swirling waters that deluged India's financial capital on the fateful day of July 26, 2005.........
Jayashree who has donned the twin roles of the family's bread winner and pillar of strength ever since begins her day even before the sun makes an appearance on the horizon, she is up and about aso sson as the clock strikes the 5 am hour completing her household chores and customary ablutions before setting off to cook in two "prosperous" homes.......
Once she is over and done with her kitchen duties, she makes a beeline towards the state government run local anganwadi where she has been working as a helper for the last nine years or so; she spends the better part of the day at the anganwadi diligently attending to her numerous duties.........
But her day is not over by any stretch of the imagination as she heads towards the Cama Road Municipal School as soon as dusk descends on the neighbourhood where she attends a night school exclusively devoted to understanding the intricacies of the SSC curriculum in the august company of her 15 year old daughter........
Jayashree bashfully admits to the fact that she always wanted to study but could not muster up the courage to take the plunge until very recently; "my daughter literally cajoled and brain washed me into joining the night school and I certainly would not have done so if not for her ultimatum", she candidly says........
"My other family members were equally supportive of my decision and made me realise the fact that I had little choice apart from educating myself if I wanted to provide for my two daughters after my husband's untimely and heart rending demise", she adds......
A long time resident of the burgeoning Shivaji Nagar slum in Andheri (West), Jayashree is equally thankful to the teachers at the Anganwadi who duly impressed upon her the sterling fact that clearing the SSC exams would lead to an immediate promotion as well as an addition of the princely sum of Rs.3,000/- to her monthly salary........
"The said sum (Rs. 3,000/-) will go a long way in facilitating my two daughters' higher education and I have also taken leave from the Anganwadi till my exams are over so that I can clear them with flying colours, though I continue to cook in the two "prosperous' houses", Jayashree signs off.....
Seeing the mother and daughter dutifully perusing their books is an everyday scene for their neighbours and other family members; "Shweta who is a class X student of the Vidya Vikas Mandal School in Andheri West is constantly seen guiding her mother through her lessons and addressing her constant self doubts and incessant queries", a family member remarks with awe resonating in her voice......
"My mother is a constant bundle of nerves and I make every effort to guide her through the comprehensive and exhaustive syllabus and make an attempt to address her minutest doubts, though at times the answers to her ceaseless questions are beyond me and I have to wait till my elder sister Sheetal (18), a first year B.Com student of Andheri's Cosmos College returns and addresses or then satisfactorily answers my mother's queries", Shweta remarks.......
Shweta also packs her mother's backpack with all her books and other paraphernalia on evenings where her mother is running late and even carries the same along with her till the school so that her mother can reach the school straight from her workplace.........
Other family members especially Jayashree's sister-in-law are more than supportive in her endeavours as she (sister-in-law) uncomplainingly steps in and bears the burden of completing my household chores so that I do not miss a single day of school on this account........
Ladies, gentlemen and fellow Indians, I give you Jayashree and Shweta Kanam, two women who have turned adversity into opportunity; two women who stare hardships in the face every single day and conquer the same with a smile on their lips and a prayer in their hearts; two women who have always lived life on their very own terms and most importantly or significantly, two women who are a living example to others of their ilk ....
Here's wishing the mother-daughter duo the very best of luck for their forthcoming examinations and all?every success in every future endeavour........
A mother and her daughter who are long time residents of a sprawling Andheri (Mumbai) slum will be appearing for their SSC exams together in a few days time with 15 year old Shweta proving to be her mother 41 year old Jayashree Kanam's inspiration, educator, motivator and pillar of support.......
Untold tragedy and misery struck the Kanam clan way back in 2005 when their sole bread winner and pillar of support Jayant Kanam was swept away by the swirling waters that deluged India's financial capital on the fateful day of July 26, 2005.........
Jayashree who has donned the twin roles of the family's bread winner and pillar of strength ever since begins her day even before the sun makes an appearance on the horizon, she is up and about aso sson as the clock strikes the 5 am hour completing her household chores and customary ablutions before setting off to cook in two "prosperous" homes.......
Once she is over and done with her kitchen duties, she makes a beeline towards the state government run local anganwadi where she has been working as a helper for the last nine years or so; she spends the better part of the day at the anganwadi diligently attending to her numerous duties.........
But her day is not over by any stretch of the imagination as she heads towards the Cama Road Municipal School as soon as dusk descends on the neighbourhood where she attends a night school exclusively devoted to understanding the intricacies of the SSC curriculum in the august company of her 15 year old daughter........
Jayashree bashfully admits to the fact that she always wanted to study but could not muster up the courage to take the plunge until very recently; "my daughter literally cajoled and brain washed me into joining the night school and I certainly would not have done so if not for her ultimatum", she candidly says........
"My other family members were equally supportive of my decision and made me realise the fact that I had little choice apart from educating myself if I wanted to provide for my two daughters after my husband's untimely and heart rending demise", she adds......
A long time resident of the burgeoning Shivaji Nagar slum in Andheri (West), Jayashree is equally thankful to the teachers at the Anganwadi who duly impressed upon her the sterling fact that clearing the SSC exams would lead to an immediate promotion as well as an addition of the princely sum of Rs.3,000/- to her monthly salary........
"The said sum (Rs. 3,000/-) will go a long way in facilitating my two daughters' higher education and I have also taken leave from the Anganwadi till my exams are over so that I can clear them with flying colours, though I continue to cook in the two "prosperous' houses", Jayashree signs off.....
Seeing the mother and daughter dutifully perusing their books is an everyday scene for their neighbours and other family members; "Shweta who is a class X student of the Vidya Vikas Mandal School in Andheri West is constantly seen guiding her mother through her lessons and addressing her constant self doubts and incessant queries", a family member remarks with awe resonating in her voice......
"My mother is a constant bundle of nerves and I make every effort to guide her through the comprehensive and exhaustive syllabus and make an attempt to address her minutest doubts, though at times the answers to her ceaseless questions are beyond me and I have to wait till my elder sister Sheetal (18), a first year B.Com student of Andheri's Cosmos College returns and addresses or then satisfactorily answers my mother's queries", Shweta remarks.......
Shweta also packs her mother's backpack with all her books and other paraphernalia on evenings where her mother is running late and even carries the same along with her till the school so that her mother can reach the school straight from her workplace.........
Other family members especially Jayashree's sister-in-law are more than supportive in her endeavours as she (sister-in-law) uncomplainingly steps in and bears the burden of completing my household chores so that I do not miss a single day of school on this account........
Ladies, gentlemen and fellow Indians, I give you Jayashree and Shweta Kanam, two women who have turned adversity into opportunity; two women who stare hardships in the face every single day and conquer the same with a smile on their lips and a prayer in their hearts; two women who have always lived life on their very own terms and most importantly or significantly, two women who are a living example to others of their ilk ....
Here's wishing the mother-daughter duo the very best of luck for their forthcoming examinations and all?every success in every future endeavour........
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