Source: Riddhima Sharma's Profile
This is Kamlaben. A feisty 78 year old woman I met in a local train. She is a vendor and sells pretty little bracelets to local commuters. She lost her husband within a month of her marriage, had to live with her parents, has lost most of her teeth now and walks with the help of a cane.
Why is she selling bracelets at this age when she should be retired and taken care of? I then went and bought 3 bracelets and struck up a conversation with her. She has been doing this work for the past 60 years! With no husband or children to take care of her, this is a woman who refuses to become dependent and has been working every day to survive.
When I asked about any brothers or sisters she may have who could help her out, She said, “Bhai hai, par aajkal koi kisiko nahi paalta” (I have a brother, but today nobody wants to take care of another person). She said she has seen a lot of people showing sympathy but nobody wants to buy her wares. “I just want to work and feed myself”.
A woman with so much determination, I felt inspired. We spend so much money on various things. I request you, if you happen to meet this amazing lady on your commute in the local train, don’t give her sympathy, just buy something from her. It will only cost you Rs. 10, which is not a big amount for most of us.
Empower and be empowered!
