During lockdown, she goes out to serve society, and her family

Eswari, a conservancy worker, is her family’s sole breadwinner

05/04/2020, VIVEK NARAYANAN,CHENNAI

V. Eswari taking time off for breakfast.M. VEDHAN

Despite the risks surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, V. Eswari, a conservancy worker with the Greater Chennai Corporation, goes out to work every day, and cleans the roads in Nolambur Phase 1. She is now the sole breadwinner of her family.

Due to the COVID-19 scare, Ms. Eswari’s daughters have been trying to persuade her not to step out. But she is left with no choice, as her two sons and two sons-in-law, all daily wage earners, do not have any work now.

“So my ₹9,000 monthly salary is essential to run the family. Since I am a contract worker, my salary will be cut if I take a day’s leave,” says Ms. Eswari, while having her breakfast, sitting on the wheel of a garbage pushcart.

To date, she is not very sure about her age. “I must be in my 40s. I have been working with the GCC for the nine years and clearing garbage from the roads. My husband died 10 years ago and after struggling a lot, I managed to get my two daughters married,” she says.

Wearing gloves and a mask, she cleans the roads every day from 6 a.m to 2 p.m.

The civic body provides breakfast and lunch.

“Nowadays, when we ask for water many residents ask us to wash our hands before taking the tumbler or bottle. But a few just refuse, fearing that they may contract the virus. This attitude hurts me and my fellow workers,” she says.