The well, in the courtyard of our house, gives us potable water and as a rule, needs cleaning once, every year. Our's was cleaned about two years back and a team was told to do the needful this morning but hopes were dashed as they'd not fetched up by 1000h as promised. We'd, however, collected water in most receptacles to tide over the 24 hour embargo, post washing. Around lunchtime, the team had informed us that they'd be fetching up by 1600h and were apologetic about having got caught up with an unscheduled work during the forenoon.
The cleaning/washing of wells is usually done in the peak of summers when the water level is the lowest, so that the water that requires to be pumped out, to empty the well, is minimal and manageable.
Finally, at about a quarter past 4, Sarath, Kannan and Ligin fetched up on two swanky and gleaming motor cycles immediately exploding my concept of the well washers that I'd seen of yore. On interaction, came to know the following:-
(a) they're of the same age at 22 yrs
(b) they're class mates from the Sree Krishna School nearby and good friends
(c) each of them pursued different professions and worked on weekends, together, to wash wells!
(d) by doing so, their friendship remained vibrant and strong as ever.
Kannan pressed clothes for a living, Sarath had his own Aluminium sheet metal turning shop at his home and Ligin worked as a sales representative for a small garment company. Though they're friendly and close, I noticed that they didn't follow each other blindly and expressed their differences, where needed - the necessary hallmark for a robust friendship! For example, both Kannan and Ligin sported ear studs while Sarath hates wearing them!!
The washing was done very professionally. Coconut husk was used to clean up the sides and the rings within. Sarath had gone down to the bottom of the well to clear the floor off dry leaves, an odd twig and lots of loose sand which were passed on outside in a biscuit tin, drawn through the pulley and I was shown the cleared bottom at the end of the exercise. Meanwhile, the others had disposed off the litter outside and had deposited charcoal(burnt coconut shells) and rock salt on the floor of the well for maintaining the potability of the seeping water, at all times.
The total time taken for the exercise......an hour and 45 minutes! Their wages...Rs. 2,000/-!!
Tailpiece.
(a) The three of them have joined the e-literacy campaign of the Foundation to stop the exploitation of the poor. They've also promised to add more of their friends into my 'action team'.
(b) I did learn a new thing from them. Usually, an embargo on drawing water, from a newly washed well is clamped, for 24 hrs. The water during that period would be bitter and drinking it should be avoided, however, the same water can be drawn for the purpose of bathing or washing.
The cleaning/washing of wells is usually done in the peak of summers when the water level is the lowest, so that the water that requires to be pumped out, to empty the well, is minimal and manageable.
Finally, at about a quarter past 4, Sarath, Kannan and Ligin fetched up on two swanky and gleaming motor cycles immediately exploding my concept of the well washers that I'd seen of yore. On interaction, came to know the following:-
(a) they're of the same age at 22 yrs
(b) they're class mates from the Sree Krishna School nearby and good friends
(c) each of them pursued different professions and worked on weekends, together, to wash wells!
(d) by doing so, their friendship remained vibrant and strong as ever.
Kannan pressed clothes for a living, Sarath had his own Aluminium sheet metal turning shop at his home and Ligin worked as a sales representative for a small garment company. Though they're friendly and close, I noticed that they didn't follow each other blindly and expressed their differences, where needed - the necessary hallmark for a robust friendship! For example, both Kannan and Ligin sported ear studs while Sarath hates wearing them!!
The washing was done very professionally. Coconut husk was used to clean up the sides and the rings within. Sarath had gone down to the bottom of the well to clear the floor off dry leaves, an odd twig and lots of loose sand which were passed on outside in a biscuit tin, drawn through the pulley and I was shown the cleared bottom at the end of the exercise. Meanwhile, the others had disposed off the litter outside and had deposited charcoal(burnt coconut shells) and rock salt on the floor of the well for maintaining the potability of the seeping water, at all times.
The total time taken for the exercise......an hour and 45 minutes! Their wages...Rs. 2,000/-!!
Tailpiece.
(a) The three of them have joined the e-literacy campaign of the Foundation to stop the exploitation of the poor. They've also promised to add more of their friends into my 'action team'.
(b) I did learn a new thing from them. Usually, an embargo on drawing water, from a newly washed well is clamped, for 24 hrs. The water during that period would be bitter and drinking it should be avoided, however, the same water can be drawn for the purpose of bathing or washing.
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