Can’t wash away lockdown blues

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 13

Washermen or ‘dhobis’ of the city have weathered the blows of month-long lockdown blues. While some of them resumed work three days ago, others are still homebound.

At the Modern Dhobi Ghat in Sector 15, Vikas Deep paints a grim picture. “There were no orders in April, but even the 40-50 orders, placed before the lockdown, are still with us. No one wants delivery and the money is due,” he says.

We have lost our clients from hospitality industry, parlours, salons and Panjab University residents. The rental charge adds to their worries. In the 16-member society, called the Chandigarh Washermen Workshop Industry Cooperative Society, each member works individually, shares Vikas.

“We pay Rs 13,000 monthly rent for this place. This month, we have not been able to earn anything,” he says. “The expenses are high and we only hope for the rent deadline to be extended,” he adds.

In Sector 44-B, Rajesh Kumar opened ironing shack a few days ago. “I earn about Rs 200-300 daily. In April, I couldn’t earn a dime,” he says. “I have exhausted all my savings. Now, the only way ahead for me is hard work,” he says.

Chottu in Sector 42-C echoes Rajesh, adding, “ I am going to work and make as much money as I can, but the business is slow.” The empty workstations inside tin-shed shacks on inner roads of Sector 33, 32 and 34 are a testimony to Chottu’s statement.