Selvi

Social worker Selvi was attending an interview. So many questions were asked to her and she answered them patiently. “Mam, one personal question. Why haven’t you married?” a reporter asked. Selvi closed her eyes and the flashback floated in front of her eyes.

“Selvi, hey Selvi” Sheela yelled at the top of her voice. “Yes ma”, saying this, Selvi came running. Selvi was the eight-year-old daughter of Sheela. “Where did you go? I have so many works to attend and I have to go for work. You got up so late and just wasting your time”. Saying this, she knocked Selvi on her head. “Oh, amma, don’t beat me. It is so painful”. Selvi started crying. “Now, don’t start crying. I am going out and you have to take care of Thambi, cook rice for AN and wash the vessels. I have washed the clothes and kept them in the bucket. Dry them. Your father, the drunkard will be coming for lunch. I have prepared sambar and kept. Serve him food if I don’t return before he comes. There is yesterday’s rice soaked in water in the kitchen corner. You can have it and there is milk in the feeding bottle. You can give the milk to Thambi when he gets up”. Giving all instructions to her daughter, Shella started to go. “Amma”, called Selvi. “What now?” Sheela shouted. “My friend Rosy next door is going to the school ma. I also want to go” she said with tears in her eyes, still feeling the pain in her head where her mom had knocked her. “Hmm., with a drunkard husband who gives nothing to the family and two children, how can I manage the family? Who will take care of your brother if you go to school? You don’t have to go to school. Be in the house and take care of your brother”. Saying this, Sheela went to work. She worked for a construction company doing jobs like mixing of sand, carrying bricks, pouring water for curing concrete etc. Luckily for her, the job for the past six months was near her house and she was able to go home for lunch and come back early in the evening. Every Saturday, she will get Rs.1500 as wages. Her husband will be waiting eagerly and would grab almost the entire amount from her which would be sufficient for him to meet his drinking needs for the week. Sheela was not beautiful but she had a perfect body structure and but for the presence of her husband, she couldn’t escape from all the roadside Romeos. Hence, she was putting up with her husband, though he was a drunkard.

That day was the birthday of the owner of the Construction Company where Sheela was working. The owner was a good woman and she had offered lunch to all the labourers who worked in the company. After lunch, the owner addressed them all. She had assured that she can be contacted any time when they needed any help. Sheela had the lunch, packed some sweets and fruits for her daughter and rushed home.

Selvi did all the jobs her mom had instructed. She took care of her brother who has three years old. But deep down her heart, she wanted to go to school and study. Her father came in the AN. “Sheela, I am hungry. Give me food” he shouted. “Amma has not returned from job. I will give you food”. Saying this, Selvi took a plate, served rice and Sambar and gave it to her father. “What happened? Why hasn’t your mother returned?”. He grabbed the plate from his daughter and started eating greedily. Selvi was feeling hungry. But her father wanted some more food. So, she gave him some more rice and there was very little left for her. Her brother started crying. “Why is he crying? Take him out,” shouted her father. She fed some food to her brother and after that he started sleeping. She also ate the food that was left out. “Selvi, come here” her father called her. She went near him. “Did you eat?” he asked. “Yes pa”. “Come closer to me” he said. She went closer. Suddenly he grabbed her and started groping her at the inappropriate places. “Appa, please leave me” Selvi shouted but he didn’t listen to her at all. He tore her dress and looked at her with his red eyes. Selvi got so scared and ran to the corner of the room. He came running after her and grabbed her hair. “Please leave me. It is so painful” she pleaded. Just then the door opened and Sheela entered. She was shocked by what she saw. “What are you doing to our child?” she cried. “Amma, please save me from Appa” Selvi ran to her mom and clung to her. “Hey Sheela, Selvi does all your works at home. Why shouldn’t she do this also?” he replied.

Sheela hugged the frightened child and tried to console her. The child was sobbing helplessly. “Selvi, change your dress and come with me,” said Sheela. “Don’t worry my child, I am going to do what you wanted to do for a long time. Yes, I am going to make you study”. But I want just one promise from you. After finishing your studies and start earning, you should find out the children who are suffering like you and save them. You should make them study. Will you do my child?” “Yes, ma I will definitely do” Selvi assured her. She took both her children to the owner of her Construction Company. The owner woman was a very kind person. She sponsored the education of both the children and also arranged a hostel accommodation to Sheela.

All these flashbacked in the mind of Selvi. “Yes”, she said to the reporter. I don’t think I will be able to do what I do now if I get married. No more personal questions please” she said. Cameras flashed at the Social Worker Selvi who had sacrificed her entire life to the welfare of the downtrodden children.

 

Thank you @Rihana @Swetha52003 and @HariLakhera for your likes and replies. I have seen and heard so much about little girls abused by their own kith and kin. In some of the cases, the mothers themselves force their children due to utter helplessness. There is one proverb in Tamil "Veliye Payirai Meivathu Pola" meaning, the fence which is intended to protect the crop will itself damage the crop. If the parents who should support and protect their children themselves indulge in such activities, how will the future of such children be?
Even basic discipline is not being followed.
I just poured out my heart. Thank you all so much once again.

 

Yes. The solution is to properly educate. The education should cover the basics of humanity. Only education will bring about a change since this kind of behaviour is very common among higher strata of society also. Current education is based only on performance, get good grades and get admitted in a reputed college and after completion, get a good job with decent salary.
In this story Selvi, just imagine what would have happened if the child couldn't study as she had wanted. Even her little brother would have been spoilt. He would have been sent to the wine shop by the father himself to get him the drinks from the shop, thus paving way for producing of another drunkard.
Even the school teachers send the students to get them cigars and other things.
The children should be taught to respect other human beings and grades awarded only if they qualify in moral education.
We really don't know when all these will happen. Till such time, we can help/ educate the children when we get an opportunity.
Regards