Sanitation Workers, 11th Cross, Malleswaram

In conversation with Rupa

Five Years of Duty

My name is Rupa. I live in Seshadripuram and have been working as a sanitation worker for five years. I have three children—one is fourteen and the twins are six years old.

When I got this job, I simply started working. I don't think about whether I like the work or not. I came here, the work was given to me, so I must do it. That is my mentality. I work on 4th Main, 8th Cross.

A Historical Place in Transition

Malleswaram is a historical place. 13th Cross used to have older buildings, though they've been demolished now. The college there has a rich history, and this area is known for its markets—you can get everything here. While demolishing historical buildings isn't good, progress is also important. We won't see this kind of technology and engineering again, but we still need to preserve older buildings. The older bungalows housed bigger families, whereas apartments only accommodate single families. The concept of larger homes is better. I live in a joint family of around fourteen people, and everyone feels safe. It bothers me to leave my children and come to work, but I have no choice. This is something I must do.

Mixed Experiences with People

I've had mixed experiences in Malleswaram—that would be fair to say. Some people speak well and show respect. Others can be rude, viewing us merely as "road cleaners" and saying things like "they should do what we tell them to." This attitude exists among some people, though we can't generalize about everyone.

I would be grateful to be treated with respect, not just toward me, but toward my work. It goes a long way when people speak nicely. Instead of saying "you, come here," they could say "please come here." It makes a difference in how people address us and the tone in which they speak to us.

The Strength of Unity

What's important is that there's unity among all of us. We continue to support each other. The public may be at fault, people may say things to us or argue with us, but we support each other during these times. We don't abandon one another.

Aniyamma and I started working around the same time. I barely knew anything before I started this job, but I was able to learn it with her by my side.

In conversation with Aniyamma

Different Mentalities

My name is Aniyamma. I've been working for five years alongside Rupa. I live in Sriramapura. Some people look at us and move away. They see our clothes and uniform and create distance. Some talk to us from far away, while others invite us into their homes. Many make us stand near the gate, and some hesitate when we ask for water, while others give us whatever they have without being asked—fruits or juice. People have different mentalities, and there's not much we can do about it.

There are more Brahmins in this area, and sometimes the mindset can be backward. There was an incident when it was sunny and I was thirsty. I asked someone for water, and they gave it to me in a medicine bottle—the kind children drink syrup from. We threw it aside and bought water for ten rupees instead. These kinds of incidents happen. Some people serve water in a glass, others in a tumbler, and some in syrup bottles!

The Ongoing Challenge

Rupa: I think now, they get a little scared when they see us. We warn them not to throw garbage, but the roads remain dirty because of the public and the people who live in that area. It's also because of the house helpers—the owners instruct them to dispose of waste properly, but they end up throwing it on the roads. The roads are usually clean after we work, but then people sweep their houses and leave the waste behind, often throwing it near trees.