It is almost nine years now since I am living in Delhi and being a tenant
I have enjoyed the land – ‘lordship’ at many places. Though I found the opportunity
to understand the culture and traditions of people from different states,
castes and regions, one thing is common with all the land-lords, they are very
punctual for the rent on time every time.
You may be delayed or forgot (however rare) the date of
paying of rent for the preceding month, but the land-lady (in most of the
cases) won’t leave you undisciplined. In fact, there is a special creed (I
would say) of land-ladies in Delhi
who have the dominance kind of nature and it depicts the real picture of
empowered women in the National Capital.
Anybody who is fighting for the women’s empowerment must
meet these land-ladies who are the real examples of sovereign feminism. They
are very aggressive for their rights and much aware about their interest. Activeness
and alertness of the land-ladies in Delhi
are so praiseworthy that you need not to worry much about your belongings under
their landlord ship, in case of late comings or outings. That really gives the
feelings of care and a guardianship.
I do remember one of my land-ladies who was a Punjabi and very
modern thinking. She is a really great example of how a woman can survive
especially without even a single male member in family. She has been living
with her widowed daughter-in-law and a grand-daughter and enjoying the
luxurious lifestyle.
She used to teach the lessons of ‘Duniyadari’ (being a wise
man) and told me many of her stories of her struggle in life. Anyone coming to
know those real stories would say, she deserves the all comfort now, but she
herself is not willing. She along with her daughter-in-law is engaged in
property dealing in the local surroundings and earns more than most of the
professionals do.
Once I informed her about the not payment of my dues by one
of my employers, she said that let’s go and fight. I was surprised why she was
more interested than me to get the dues. But on the very next line she said
with humor, “Mainoo kitta dega puttar” (how much will I get). I just kept
smiling and thinking about the business mind and value consciousness (for time
and effort) of that lady.
She is not just one; there are millions of land ladies in
Delhi who are the real role models of empowered women.
