The (Anupam Kher) lady and the (Sridevi) girl of Hongkong market-Abuse in action!

Disclaimer: I am not a hindi movie fan nor I watch hindi soups but the terminologies used in this write up perfectly describes the situation. Reader’s discretion is advised and you can draw your own conclusions over my observation.

The other day, on a mundane drive just above the Norzin Lam lane, I saw an elderly rich lady and a frightened young girl. Her appearance made me conclude that this girl is either her house maid or a nanny. I stopped for a while attending to a call and then I saw this elderly lady take out half and untidily packed luggage’s similar to those carried during our ancestors time, from her polished land cruiser. The whole scene made me think that the lady is throwing this babysitter out of her house. 

The lady was a fierce looking master and the girl, helpless and almost in the brink of tears. The lady with expensive outfits and a half jacket was taking things out as if she was throwing some waste out of her house. The girl standing beside her car looked at those things with unimaginable helplessness. I could see injustice, ill treatment and misery in her eyes. 

In the following paragraphs, I have voiced my opinion and I am in no way qualified to say whether the girl or the lady was wrong.

How do Thimphu-ites get these house maids and nannies? Did the urban rich and middle class bring them to be mistreated? If nannies make some curable mistakes, does this mean that the masters are well behaved in conduct? All middle class require nannies for babysitting and this has become a social ill making young innocent girls become victims of child abuse. If our society accepts such practices and if we cannot do away without nannies at home, then it is not the problem with those nannies but with their seemingly wealthy masters. The masters want their workers at home to behave in the best acceptable manner and they show no responsibility as a biological parent. Children of such homes are what we now see as hooligans and push outs of society with cash. Cash is what they got when parents had no time to spare and cash is what they have as friend. They became push outs in the very first place for the pride associated with cash they got from their inhuman wealthy dads and moms. 

Can the elderly be more civilized and human while dealing with nannies? I am told of some Bhutanese nannies in the west experiencing the same there. To those, nanny-ing abroad, I say that your Bhutanese masters here are in no different situation. This is bloody slavery and inhuman in the most developed town of Bhutan. Most abuses go unnoticed and unreported but now people are coming in public to ridicule, mock and insult the very people who took care of their tempered babies and spoilt brats. 

And coming back to the scene of abuse, how I wished, she could have settled this at her home treating the girl more humanely. I saw Anupam Kher in that lady and Sridevi in the girl after watching Chalbaaz (A hindi film) a decade ago. Dear readers, do you have a nanny at home? If yes, then please behave! As informed citizens let us not multiply more Anupam khers and Sridevis! LOL but this no laughing matter!

Good day folks!

Madam! You are missed!

One cold weekend, with nothing to do, a likeminded colleague of mine and I decided to explore the recently opened highway out of curiosity. This undefined feeling is nostalgic and memorable, but the idea flopped. Then in the evening our office had arranged a dinner for all of us because one of our philosophical colleague, let me just name her ‘Madam’, was leaving on transfer to some other place. We had nothing so extraordinary about the dinner. Drinks were on one’s own side and for the food it was shared-this is our school culture. 

People gathered! Some started off with tea and many like me with a few pegs. Then, it was time to play Mr. Nice guy. We gathered in an already crammed room and then it began-speeches, opinions, laughter, gossips and stupid things that took place during her tenure, all in the name of farewell. I personally had nothing to say but wished had I spoken my share of the farewell. Then instantly, everyone got out and started devouring the buffet that was laid and thrashed in the other room. I and some hungry beasts ate last. 

One by one, many started to leave and a few remained sipping over what was left before dinner. I got an opportunity to talk to Madam’s honey bunny. In the midst of our conversation, I insisted on to make him try another shot, to this I felt elated that we shared the same brand, if you know what I mean! You talk to a wealthy- the overpowering tone will make you hesitant and awkward. The wealthy I know has this sense of pride in their bones. But the man beside me is wealthy in knowledge, exposure and experiences. He mentioned of his time back in the United States. He also mentioned of the attitudes chhilips keep for brown people like us especially residing in south East Asia. That’s when I knew about my concept and consideration of the west. There is nothing glamorous about it and the people there, eat work, sleep work and work work! 

For an office worker, if the tram arrives late by a few seconds- his days work will get delayed by a few seconds. Such is the timed life of the west. Thank you to this man for enlightening another man, who just moments ago thought that he is the all knowing saint in the group. Thank you once again. 

Then, the time for final farewell, it was getting late. We hugged wishes and misses and told madam that we are just a phone call apart. Later I was told that this was my second hug. I was a bit high on my sips. On our way back home, we again exchanged hugs and misses. Then in a drunken mind something un-drunk emerged. A few who drove cars agreed to see off, our now missed madam, to some distance. 

We took some beer, a bottle of lady wine and a few pegs in an empty mineral water bottle. After we reached the spot which is quiet-ly famous for secretive happenings under the cover of dark, we stepped out, handed over the drinks and then a few started to circumnavigate here and there singing and moving in the typical Bhutanese circle, at least by our standard, that’s the farewell norm. 

Again after a few more hugs and misses, we went to our homes and called the day off. I don’t really know if this mention makes any sense to my readers but for the people who were living this moment with me during that night, is nostalgic. And for my madam who is away now, I have the following to say and I mean this in every sense of the word;

God made us friends because he knew our mom couldn’t handle us as siblings. Miss you madam!