Tag: Toba Tek singh

  • Cry Jamlo Makdam Cry

    In a heartbreaking tragedy, a 12-year-old child labour – Jamlo Makdam died on 20th April after walking for 150 km from her workplace Bhupalpally in Telengana to her native place, Bijapur district in Chattisgarh. She was working in Chilly fields in Kannaiguda village.

    see here

    I have written a poem in her memory.

    Cry not -my beloved country- Cry not

                    Save your tears

                    for Jamlo, the chilly-picker,

    She needs them plenty

    to keep her walking.

    Only a mile afar

     mother waiting to hug her

    quench her thirst -before she moves to a land unknown.

    Running away from coronavirus, with week’s hunger in belly,

    100 rupees tucked in her skirt, bedecked with chilly flakes,

    a mere 150 kilometers to walk,

    no marathoners to accompany

    she is walking, walking, and walking.

    On a lonely road

    Sun blistering above

    With no helpful winds to blow away the heat

    She is walking, walking, and walking.

    Thirsty blood, tearless eyes

    Saliva-less tongue

    Still her dream dies hard

    home, sweet home and mother awaiting – her final resting place.

    Hunger, her best friend, she is not afraid of,

    because she must walk, walk, and walk.

    Stars are shining

    in their AC cooled rooms,

    cutting hubby’s hair short, sweeping floors – a first time in life

    singing paeans to Lockdown, Lockdown and Lockdown

    A 100K like in Instagram -no wonder.

    Leaders are busy in their virtual world

    With Mask on

    Conferring on matters of life and death

    gravitas overflowing

    may be talking about Michelangelo

    and heart beating about Jamlos at large.

    But our Jamlo is not even a footnote.

    Which country owned Toba Tek Singh?

    Gods only know.

    Which state owns Jamlo for her to receive some succor?

    The answer is blowing in the wind

    To her mother’s arm that is the only place on earth she belongs to.