Life no walk in the park(ing) for this attendant

Sandeep Sinha

On a hot Sunday afternoon, Harjeet Kaur, 43, sits on her chair in the shade of a tree near the counter where e-slips for parking vehicles are issued. Attendance at the bustling market of Sector 8-C is lean, reflected in the empty spaces at the parking lot. Harjeet Kaur is among those recruited by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) as part of its smart parking system that sees only women manage the parking lots from 7.30 am till 9 pm.

She has been on the job for only 9-10 months but loves it. It gives her a chance for public dealing, something she is adept at having worked in a showroom selling branded clothes in Sector 17. She worked there for more than 10 years selling premium clothes to the well-heeled and is used to the fuss and fastidious ways of the people that such a job entails.

She had to leave after the owners decided to shift the shop because of the high rental in Sector 17, but the experience has stood her in good stead in her present job where she has to deal with a large number of people with their varied ways. “What is most important is the way you speak, boli ka hi sara khel hai,” she says. How you speak to others has a great role in the way disputes are resolved, she points out. It’s a practical lesson in soft skills from a matriculate that would do a management guru proud.

Harjeet has had a tumultuous family life. Married off in her early 20s, she faced domestic abuse. Her in-laws had a business in electrical gear and appliances in Jalandhar and her husband was a contractor. But the constant misbehaviour forced her to walk out and she was back to her parents’ place near Chandigarh. The case of marital discord is in the court. Her father was in government service and she stayed with him. Her 13-year-old son stays with her, looked after by her mother in her absence, while the daughter stays with her in-laws. “Usko woh le gaye,” she informs. Does this not hold out a glimmer of hope for her? Let us see what happens. “Abhi toh Sector 43 mein jo court hai wahan case chal raha hai,” she informs.

Firm resolve saw her refuse to call it quits and she tried to find her feet, starting work at the garments shop. The money she got by way of provident fund from there after her long stint gave her some financial security and also the courage to dream of a future for her son, who studies in a government model school. She wants him to study and do well and preferably get a government job. No forcing of a career choice, she says, in a rare show of perspicacity that would be the envy of many parents who thrust career choices on their wards.

Will she be able to nurture her dream with the meager salary of Rs 8,223? It’s not enough, she admits, but replenishes it by doing additional work like stitching and embroidery. “Main toh kothiyon wali thi. Shaadi ke baad dekho kahan aa gayi,” she exclaims.

It’s a lean day and there are five women parking attendants in this market. But while the others shy away, Harjeet Kaur is willing to talk. A vehicle owner enters, gets the e-ticket and parks in an empty slot. What does she do if the vehicle owner loses or misplaces the parking ticket? It creates problems, she says, but with the new computerised system, the whole detail emerges after the vehicle number is punched into the system and an identity proof will suffice.

The hike in parking fee has not had much effect on the rush and the male colleagues are there for assistance in case any help is needed. There are rules to be followed like wearing a uniform and nameplate, ensuring that vehicles are parked in an orderly way and do not get damaged and no overcharging takes place. Managing the crowd is also a challenge, and this particular parking lot sees great rush because of the Atulaya Healthcare facility being located there.

But Harjeet Kaur is par for the course. A purposeful attitude to life makes her take all these in stride, grit and determination staving off, if not beating, the odds in life.