As you grow up in life, you will understand that घरातलं बाईमाणुस is never the mother or wife or grandmother. It is a vague term given to all those ladies who work to help the ladies who work. However, weird it many sound, the 'बाई' in Indian households are more revered than parents, family or even GOD. Bhagwan 33 crore mil jaate hain, ek achhi bai nahi milti. A woman most of the times prefer dumping her husband than hurting the sentiments of her बाई.
Until now, we have been fortunate on that front. With both of us working and all of our parents above 70, we needed that extra set of hands and we were lucky to get some good ones at that, ofcourse with its own ups and downs.
If you had been born a few years before 2019, you would have been practically raised single handedly by Sarita. She was instrumental in taking care of Aaryaa tai and Aadyaa tai. She stayed with us for more than 10 years and was a part of our family. She was present during your birth and even during your naming ceremony. But, something was off. Maybe her marriageable age or her ailing father in her village or maybe Aaba's overtly 'sweet' nature or maybe her salary. Something was eating her up and she decided to quit. It came as a shock when she declared her decision and it was difficult to imagine raising you without her at beck and call. But, noone is irreplaceable and soon her void was filled.
But before talking about who replaced her, there are many others who played their parts in your growth in the first year.
Reshma mavshi was appointed over the rough-handed laxmi mavshi to give you massage and bath. While the latter's hands were rough, the former's ways were rough. She used to come late at around 12 or 12.30. You cried a lot during the whole process, but after the bath you slept like a baby. ( That phrase can't be used. You were a baby). Aai denied her massage services and was also apprehensive about taking a bath from her. She continued with us till we shifted base to Vagdevi.
Usha mavshi was Reshma mavshi's replacement at Mahim. Initially, we had a tough time getting anyone, and when she came to meet for the first time, her appearance created doubts in our mind. But, with you, she was a breath of fresh air. Very gentle with her handling, whispering sweet nothings to you, her trademark 'sonu' repeated time and again, I think you enjoyed your time with her. You never cried during the massage or bath. She used to eat our brains with her nonsensical talks, but her work made us bear all that. Surprsingly, you did not accept her a second time round during our ganpati stay at mahim.
Sharmila and Sunita were Mah-aaji's maids at Mahim. While Sunita was the caring one, Sharmila kept her distance.Sunita also had a grandson who got many of your clothes. Sharmila was all about her work and the breakfast which Mah-aaji served her (even if it kept aajoba hungry sometimes).
When we returned to Dahisar, the भांडी, झाडू, लादी duties were taken up by Hansa Bai. An old lady with white hair, but meticulous with her work as a replacement bai and casual with the same as a permanent one. Her 'पंखा बंद करू?' was a constant source of irritation for aai and aaba. In due course, she became friends with you and even played with you. You enjoyed sitting in the kitchen watching her wash the utensils.
But, the most important question about a bai to take your care was answered by Jayashri Mavshi. She was recommended by Sandhya Aatya and had taken Devang's care during his early years. She herself had a small granddaughter at home. She was clean and you gelled with her like a fish in water. She came at 9, left at 6, gave u massage and bath, changed your diapers, fed you, made you sleep, took care of you, washed your clothes, cleaned your bottles. But......she had her flaws. She had her physical limitations. She avoided playing with you and i wonder what she would have done now that you are crawling all over and standing and trying to walk. She had her paper-reading time, had a 2 hour nap time in the afternoon, had 2 spoons of sugar in her tea, needed some food after she gave you bath. We were ok with all of it, as she was great with you. But her holidays were a deal-breaker. Long holidays for someone's death, someone's heartattack coupled with reluctance to come to work when Aai had a holiday, made Aai think about alternatives. She was costing a bomb too. Her patience with Jayashree mavshi finally ended after she failed to come to work giving some petty reason after a rainy day. She was fired with immediate effect.
The search started again. I got someone's reference from my classes, but was absolutely rejected in the interview itself. Aaba got a reference from a lady in the bank which he frequented. Rohini Mavshi. 'आंधळा मागतो एक डोळा आणि देव दोन देतो'. She is better than Jayashree Mavshi minus the flaws, minus the holidays. She is phyically more active and also helps with household work. Right now, she is your mavshi and you both are doing fine. We are hoping and praying that she continues for a long long time.
The concept of bai is getting modrrnized. From consulting agencies now, we may get 'bai' on apps. Maybe the practice of keeping a 'bai' will be completely redundant when you grow up. But, until then, these are the people who have played a part in your childhood. You will not even know them, but we will be thankful to them forever.
Until now, we have been fortunate on that front. With both of us working and all of our parents above 70, we needed that extra set of hands and we were lucky to get some good ones at that, ofcourse with its own ups and downs.
If you had been born a few years before 2019, you would have been practically raised single handedly by Sarita. She was instrumental in taking care of Aaryaa tai and Aadyaa tai. She stayed with us for more than 10 years and was a part of our family. She was present during your birth and even during your naming ceremony. But, something was off. Maybe her marriageable age or her ailing father in her village or maybe Aaba's overtly 'sweet' nature or maybe her salary. Something was eating her up and she decided to quit. It came as a shock when she declared her decision and it was difficult to imagine raising you without her at beck and call. But, noone is irreplaceable and soon her void was filled.
But before talking about who replaced her, there are many others who played their parts in your growth in the first year.
Reshma mavshi was appointed over the rough-handed laxmi mavshi to give you massage and bath. While the latter's hands were rough, the former's ways were rough. She used to come late at around 12 or 12.30. You cried a lot during the whole process, but after the bath you slept like a baby. ( That phrase can't be used. You were a baby). Aai denied her massage services and was also apprehensive about taking a bath from her. She continued with us till we shifted base to Vagdevi.
Usha mavshi was Reshma mavshi's replacement at Mahim. Initially, we had a tough time getting anyone, and when she came to meet for the first time, her appearance created doubts in our mind. But, with you, she was a breath of fresh air. Very gentle with her handling, whispering sweet nothings to you, her trademark 'sonu' repeated time and again, I think you enjoyed your time with her. You never cried during the massage or bath. She used to eat our brains with her nonsensical talks, but her work made us bear all that. Surprsingly, you did not accept her a second time round during our ganpati stay at mahim.
Sharmila and Sunita were Mah-aaji's maids at Mahim. While Sunita was the caring one, Sharmila kept her distance.Sunita also had a grandson who got many of your clothes. Sharmila was all about her work and the breakfast which Mah-aaji served her (even if it kept aajoba hungry sometimes).
When we returned to Dahisar, the भांडी, झाडू, लादी duties were taken up by Hansa Bai. An old lady with white hair, but meticulous with her work as a replacement bai and casual with the same as a permanent one. Her 'पंखा बंद करू?' was a constant source of irritation for aai and aaba. In due course, she became friends with you and even played with you. You enjoyed sitting in the kitchen watching her wash the utensils.
But, the most important question about a bai to take your care was answered by Jayashri Mavshi. She was recommended by Sandhya Aatya and had taken Devang's care during his early years. She herself had a small granddaughter at home. She was clean and you gelled with her like a fish in water. She came at 9, left at 6, gave u massage and bath, changed your diapers, fed you, made you sleep, took care of you, washed your clothes, cleaned your bottles. But......she had her flaws. She had her physical limitations. She avoided playing with you and i wonder what she would have done now that you are crawling all over and standing and trying to walk. She had her paper-reading time, had a 2 hour nap time in the afternoon, had 2 spoons of sugar in her tea, needed some food after she gave you bath. We were ok with all of it, as she was great with you. But her holidays were a deal-breaker. Long holidays for someone's death, someone's heartattack coupled with reluctance to come to work when Aai had a holiday, made Aai think about alternatives. She was costing a bomb too. Her patience with Jayashree mavshi finally ended after she failed to come to work giving some petty reason after a rainy day. She was fired with immediate effect.
The search started again. I got someone's reference from my classes, but was absolutely rejected in the interview itself. Aaba got a reference from a lady in the bank which he frequented. Rohini Mavshi. 'आंधळा मागतो एक डोळा आणि देव दोन देतो'. She is better than Jayashree Mavshi minus the flaws, minus the holidays. She is phyically more active and also helps with household work. Right now, she is your mavshi and you both are doing fine. We are hoping and praying that she continues for a long long time.
The concept of bai is getting modrrnized. From consulting agencies now, we may get 'bai' on apps. Maybe the practice of keeping a 'bai' will be completely redundant when you grow up. But, until then, these are the people who have played a part in your childhood. You will not even know them, but we will be thankful to them forever.
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