Deve Gowder and Marakka of Pannapatti near Chinnalappatti in Dindigul district were blessed with one son and four daughters after having prayed for progeny at the Pandi Temple in Cholavandan. Deve Gowder had a number of cows and agricultural lands in his village and he ensured that four daughters and their friends tended the animals all through the day. Everyday , the father used to tell stories of wisdom and endurance which formed part of the local tradition to the girls and this was the only input that was received by them while growing up in the village. Unfortunately they never went to school .On the passing away of her husband Marakka got her daughters married off at an early age.
Shanthi, the hardworking household help at R.S Puram happens to be one of the daughters of Marakka . She was originally named as Perumal Akka for she was born on a Saturday during the Tamil month of Purattasi. On getting married Shanthi moved over to Delhi and began her life with her husband Thavasi . She began her career as a maid in Delhi while bringing up her boys Pandiaraj and Balamurugan. Unfortunately her married life happened to be a bed of thorns for she was ill treated by her husband and his relatives as well. Shanthi was eventually forced to leave her husband with her second son and move over to Coimbatore after a decade at Delhi. Fortunately she had been left with a bit of her savings and a working knowledge of spoken Hindi.
On moving over to Coimbatore Shanthi began her life afresh by working as a household help in a number of houses . On certain occasions she was offered free housing by the employers. Her day began by 4.00 am and she left for work after her prayers and meditation. Illiterate Shanthi never argued or crossed swords with her collegues at the place of work. " I never fought or argued with anyone for I never believed in playing politics. Its always better to give up and move on in life. Therefore I had to work in many households in order to make a living, "shares Shanthi. She just kept working tirelessly and used to retire for the day by about 5.00 pm . Work kept piling on a regular basis for she had never defined quantum of work with her employers. She washes vessels, cleans the household, folds up the dried clothes and waters the plants on an everyday basis. The employers usually provide her with food twice a day and she makes use of the best of the used clothes given by them all her life.
Shanthi happens to be a pure vegetarian and is extremely religious. She sings short devotional songs while on work and ensures that she lights a lamp at home everyday. She fasts during the times of Sharadh and Vasantha Navarathris for nine days twice a year. " I just have some nuts, raw vegetables and milk while I fast . I pray to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu at all times. When I am under duress , I pray to Lord Shani for solace. I am a regular at the Poo Market Muthumariamman Temple and I take part in the Gundam festival on an annual basis. The Lawley Road Karupparayan Temple is another favourite and once in a way I make small offerings at the temple and the prasadam received is shared between my son and myself. Every year I put " Malai " at the Velandipalayam Om Sakthi Temple before undertaking the pilgrimage to Melmaruvattur by train. " adds Shanthi while sharing facets about her life and toil.
Gold has not been her priority and all her savings have been advanced to a developer and she is eagerly waiting for the day when she can relax at her own house, " Nowadays we stay in a one room house near Pal Company and the rent is Rs.2500 and water charges are at the rate of Rs.100 per head. Toilets are common while the power bills are extra. My house near Narasimhanaickenpalayam is getting delayed and lakhs of my savings have got caught due to the same. I am an illiterate and therefore I take help from one of households near my residence and I do free work for them in return. I wish that I could read or write . I work all the time and do not have any friends and just have a few acquaintances. I want to just live in my own house and later on I will give it to my son Balamurugan who is working as a driver . The developer is giving me far too many excuses and I am yet to get the property registered. I earnestly hope that I do not get cheated. This is causing me a lot anxiety for I have to pay the monthly rent until I get my house. I have been cheated far too many times already ," states an anxious Shanthi.
Illiteracy has come in the way of her safety and progress. She is emphatic when she states that God is her only hope for even her rich relatives seem to be ignoring her. She earns about Rs.14000 per month by working in a few houses as a part timer in R.S.Puram and once in a way she free lances in order to fulfil her supplement her income. Shanthi believes in being straight forward and wants to be nice to everyone at all times. The workaholic in her keeps her occupied mentally and physically. Even after decades of hard work she has to take care of herself and there is no relief in sight. Shanthi represents a class of hard working people from the unorganised sector and it is this class that has been silently serving the growing needs of the city in a big way. Its the work of her ilk that has been giving us the much needed leisure at home.