Vashi2Panvel.Com: Navi Mumbai: June 24: The ‘shor’ and chatter associated with a typical macchi market may be missing from this small stretch of machiwallis at Nerul West, near the station, but that doesn’t mean that that there is any less business happening here. One particular machchiwali in fact seems to be doing brisk business. While she mans the chopping board, her two sons handle the clients. But what sets her apart is her approach towards her work, her solemnity and her ‘I-am-not-really-a-machchiwali’ attitude.
This is a story of riches to rags and finally finding a way to live the hard life. Carmen Barow an East Indian has had the task of single handedly bringing up her two boys, Allwyin and Delwyin. Recalling those days of tribulations Carmen essays her life story in faultless English.
“I come from a well-to-do family. I used to reside in a big house near Mount Mary in Bandra. My father had a respectable job in Mahindra’s. I did not complete schooling. Like most teens my age at that time, I fell in love with a boy who was my brother’s friend, Shyam Raut.
“At that time Shyam was also employed at Mahindra’s at Kandivli. Since our families were against our marriage we eloped. After marriage we lived in a shanty in Bandra and that’s when all the trouble began.”
With tears in her eyes she narrates, “Soon after my marriage my husband left his job he started flirting with other women and fell in bad company. So I was left all alone to bring up my two kids. Out of concern, my sister offered to help her sell fish at Grant Road for Rs.50 a day. However, even there my misfortune followed and I was not accepted by the others there. Feeling out of place, I had to start selling fish at Khar which too did not work out thus I had to resort to door-to-door selling. I used to feel extremely humiliated but I had to do this to bring up my family. Many a times I had tears in my eyes with regret of having to do such a job.
But now there is a ray of hope in my life. I saved Rs.30000 and put in money that I got from selling my old hut and bought a flat in Arunadhi Apartment at Vashi.”
Coming back to the present she talks about her two sons who have always stood by her. “I made it a point to see that my children were educated. I put them in an English medium school with the hope that they will get a good job when they grow up. But as fate would have it my sons left their studies mid-way for they could not see me work alone. Even my brother who works with Citizen Bank has been quite supportive.
It is incredible how a person learns to face the challenges in life by accepting and fighting them. Carmen Barow’s outlook in life has made her successful and has helped her fulfill her dreams despite hardships. Though her husband has not taken the right track she’s quite contended with her life at present. She reflects, “Even now my husband sits idle at home while I work hard and earn upto Rs.300 a day. I would like to educate my sons further but I don’t have the money. However my elder son does have some plans of starting a tours and travel business. He also plans to go for a call centre job. I pray to the Almighty that all their dreams turn true.”
Ansy Austin
Hari Chakyar wrote: