FOCUS
WRB = Women’s Reservation Bill
Many years ago, I was sharing the dias with the MLA from my village. During the course of his talk he told the gathering of school children, their parents and assembled villagers, that he had won 5 times before the current membership of the Karnataka assembly. He also spoke about the goodies that he shall do during the currency of his membership. He was the district-in-charge minister while being in charge of fisheries during that time.
Then it was my turn to speak. Referring to his promises of doing lot of development works and programmes for the people in his constituency, I said, "our MLA has spoken like all politicians, and it was good, but", I continued, "no government can provide all that we need in all quantities at all times. There will always be promises left unfulfilled for very obvious reasons of both resources and time constraints. Thus, while the MLA may honestly try to keep his promises, he may be stymied by the circumstances, which can leave promises as promises only. In which case, what should we all do, is a question we have to ask ourselves, and if possible start doing something to meet the vacuum with or without the help of authorities, that’s the real beginning of empowerment.". Referring to his 6 electoral victories, I told the MLA, that it is alright for him to boast about his uninterrupted victories for almost 30 years, ‘but what about those persons who must have worked for your victory all those thirty years? When will they get their break to contest and become MLAs? What is their future, except some crumbs of power, you as the MLA throw at them?’
The MLA was clearly very upset with my remarks which threatened his political carrier. Is there any wonder that there was this huge demonstration of anger in the Rajya Sabha when the Women’s Reservation Bill was tabled? Vast majority of members of parliament or state legislatures in the country are like the above Karnataka MLA. They all want everything happening to themselves and may be their families and cronies, but not to the rank and file of Indians. This is the crux of the whole matter. This is the fundamental bane of our socio-political scene. We are too greedy for ourselves. Most present day politicians only loot the system, and they do not want to share the loot. It is not just the power but also the loot in which they want dynasty to continue. Examples of such continuity can be mind boggling. This trend
is not confined to only Laalu and Mulaayam brigade. It is across the political spectrum, including the so-called women’s liberators, like Congress, BJP and even Communists.
Yes, what happened in Rajya Sabha, is indeed historic. 33% reservation for women in state and central legislatures, is epochal to say the least. The present strength of women in these elected bodies are far less, some over 10% or so. Hence there is a huge section thrown open for women. And not surprisingly despite being passed by the major parties, Congress, BJP and Communists in Rajya Sabha, there is already rumblings in Congress and BJP members of Lok Sabha, where the bill is expected to be taken up shortly. There is a real fear that a good chunk of these men shall stand to lose their turf for good. Nobody would like to give up their domain of public office and perks of comforts and money making that goes with it.
We are all selfish, and greed is our national trait, so how can we just give away, what we have acquired, without fight?
Those seven Rajya Sabha MPs who were suspended, and their leaders, the Yadav trio, Lalu Prasad, Mulyam singh, and Sharad Yadav, are not really worried about Muslims or other backward communities. They are only worried about themselves. There is absolutely no logic in what they are saying, but unfortunately there is a huge crowd out there, who believe their stories and sing paeans to them.
Going back to the passage of Women’s Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha, the credit for piloting the whole proposal has to go to a large extent, to the Congress President, a woman herself. It is because of her that Congressmen fell in line. Of course, BJP and Communists have always supported the bill, although once passed in the Rajya Sabha, there have been dissenting voices heard in the BJP camp as well. Among the opposition, especially RJD of Lalu and SP of Mulayam, they always opposed the bill since its first introduction in 1996, some 15 years ago. Their contention of, Quota within Quota, may become, to some extent, a stumbling block for the bill to be cleared. But if BJP and Communists stand firm then it may pass muster after all. But the fact remains, that the bill remained almost in exile with only 10% of women representatives in the Lok Sabha, where whatever the changes, these political parties wanted, could have taken place. Whether it is the Congress, the BJP or the Communists, who support the bill, or the oppositions like RJD & SP, all are guilty of not having nominated any larger number of women in all these 15 years. In fact in the current 15th Lok Sabha there were only 59 women MPs in the total strength of about 550. Thus, the enactment of law is necessary for these women to be part of the nation’s decision making process. And the opposition parties like RJD and SP had all along fought the bill on the issue of ‘quota within quota’, which appeared only a lip service since situation within the party selections remained just as patriarchal as the parties were. Thus it was obvious they only wanted the status-quo to be continued. Has RJD or SP tried their ‘quota within quota’ in the 10% or 11% women already in the parliament? Doesn’t this prove their insincerity?
While there is no doubt, it is an extremely positive step in the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the long run, the question that begs for answer is how much this electoral reservation shall really help the marginalised section of women, who continue to rough it out and are at the receiving end of the socio-economic paradigm. Just look at the former union Child and Women Development minister Renuka Chaudhary, the bull-dozer of a politician. What has she really done for the betterment of women in general? She has been in politics for many decades, held elected position and that of union minister as well many times. She represents the haves of the society. Like of her, and they are so many of them, they have never promoted or espoused the cause of marginlised section of women in general.
ICDS (Integerated Child Development Scheme) has been one of the unique government of India schemes started to enhance child survival and its development from the poorer sections of the society.
This scheme employs some 10,00,000 anganwadi workers (AWs) and their helpers, and all of them women. The scheme has been acknowledged to be greatly successful due to dedicated workers. They are appointed on honorariums. They are not treated as government servants, only to deny them financial benefits available to government employees. The truth is these AWs are far more committed and productive than those government employees.
There are eight layers of supervision above these anganwadi workers and helpers. Starting from Minister to Secretary, to Commissioner to Jt. Director, to Dy. Director, to Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) to Asst. CDPO, to supervisor. All these personnel are getting paid government scaled salaries and getting accompanying perks. It was some brainwave of those IAS babus, to start the honorarium payment system for these anganwadi workers. After all India has a huge unemployed women force, some literate and some semi literate, hence getting women workers for anganwadies was no problem at all, without much financial burden.
Yes, coming to the compensation to these workers, less said the better. This ICDS programme is 34 years old. Probably Karnataka and other southern states are somewhat better in payment to these workers. Until recently anganwadi worker(AWs) in Karnataka were getting Rs: 1750/- and helpers Rs: 1000/- per month. It took them all these 34 years to reach there. If this is the story of Karnataka AWs, listen to Indukumari and Sangitha Rai from Samstipur in Bihar. ‘CDPO paid only Rs. 500/- once every 6 months,’ said Indukumari. According to Sangitha Rai most pa
rts of Samastipur distt. the sarpanch was given the responsibility of releasing honoraria, which gave them a kind of control over these AWs and hence they took ‘cuts’ while releasing the honoraria.
Thus the sad accounts of these AWs is a story of ruthless exploitation of marginalised women of our society. Renuka Choudhary and her ilk have only spoken of the rights of women who were the haves of the society, like herself. They didn’t lose their sleep, because an AW goes home empty handed when she completes 60, that she had no savings for all the years that she slogged for a pittance. No, our system is heavily loaded against these women from beyond the national highways living on the margins. These WRBs or anything that goes by the term cannot do any better for these women.
There’s a whole lot of unorganised sector consisting of men and women. More than 80% of our work force is employed in unorganised sector. How does our so-called representative governments, which truly speaking, does not represent a whole section of ha
pless helpless humanity who are in need of succour can be called representative?
Yes, the WRB has to be passed, but all political parties should seriously think and plan an inclusive strategy which should really curtail the free run these La Renuka Choudharies had all along, but include more who would empathise with the issues plaguing the women folks in general, both urban & rural. The true emancipation of women would come only with the goal of universal literacy of women. We have over 90% women literate in Mizoram, but its around 20% in Bihar. This has to change to make whole of India’s women folks over 90% literate. Only then the reservation would have made some sense. Or else likes of Renukas will rule the destinies of women and likes of Bihari women shall continue to remain largely illiterate. It will be like chasing a mirage.
Of course, this ‘quota within quota' although is for political compulsions of these Yadav & Company, its validity cannot be dismissed in the context of an India where the present 10% of women MPs in the parliament do not have representation from the marginalised poorer section. This is the reality all political parties should realise. Despite making appropriate noises these political parties, including the so-called most secular Communists, could not go beyond 10% of around 550 seats in the Loksabha. Infact, Communists had only one women representative, who happened to be the wife of Prakash Karat, the Gen. Secretary of CPM. Thus the legal reservation appears to be the only solution to promote women in parliament. That leaves the other, pertinent question unanswered. Would ‘quota-within-quota’ shall be the only solution to address this issue?
I&C Feature
Then it was my turn to speak. Referring to his promises of doing lot of development works and programmes for the people in his constituency, I said, "our MLA has spoken like all politicians, and it was good, but", I continued, "no government can provide all that we need in all quantities at all times. There will always be promises left unfulfilled for very obvious reasons of both resources and time constraints. Thus, while the MLA may honestly try to keep his promises, he may be stymied by the circumstances, which can leave promises as promises only. In which case, what should we all do, is a question we have to ask ourselves, and if possible start doing something to meet the vacuum with or without the help of authorities, that’s the real beginning of empowerment.". Referring to his 6 electoral victories, I told the MLA, that it is alright for him to boast about his uninterrupted victories for almost 30 years, ‘but what about those persons who must have worked for your victory all those thirty years? When will they get their break to contest and become MLAs? What is their future, except some crumbs of power, you as the MLA throw at them?’
The MLA was clearly very upset with my remarks which threatened his political carrier. Is there any wonder that there was this huge demonstration of anger in the Rajya Sabha when the Women’s Reservation Bill was tabled? Vast majority of members of parliament or state legislatures in the country are like the above Karnataka MLA. They all want everything happening to themselves and may be their families and cronies, but not to the rank and file of Indians. This is the crux of the whole matter. This is the fundamental bane of our socio-political scene. We are too greedy for ourselves. Most present day politicians only loot the system, and they do not want to share the loot. It is not just the power but also the loot in which they want dynasty to continue. Examples of such continuity can be mind boggling. This trend
is not confined to only Laalu and Mulaayam brigade. It is across the political spectrum, including the so-called women’s liberators, like Congress, BJP and even Communists.Yes, what happened in Rajya Sabha, is indeed historic. 33% reservation for women in state and central legislatures, is epochal to say the least. The present strength of women in these elected bodies are far less, some over 10% or so. Hence there is a huge section thrown open for women. And not surprisingly despite being passed by the major parties, Congress, BJP and Communists in Rajya Sabha, there is already rumblings in Congress and BJP members of Lok Sabha, where the bill is expected to be taken up shortly. There is a real fear that a good chunk of these men shall stand to lose their turf for good. Nobody would like to give up their domain of public office and perks of comforts and money making that goes with it.
We are all selfish, and greed is our national trait, so how can we just give away, what we have acquired, without fight?
Those seven Rajya Sabha MPs who were suspended, and their leaders, the Yadav trio, Lalu Prasad, Mulyam singh, and Sharad Yadav, are not really worried about Muslims or other backward communities. They are only worried about themselves. There is absolutely no logic in what they are saying, but unfortunately there is a huge crowd out there, who believe their stories and sing paeans to them.
Going back to the passage of Women’s Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha, the credit for piloting the whole proposal has to go to a large extent, to the Congress President, a woman herself. It is because of her that Congressmen fell in line. Of course, BJP and Communists have always supported the bill, although once passed in the Rajya Sabha, there have been dissenting voices heard in the BJP camp as well. Among the opposition, especially RJD of Lalu and SP of Mulayam, they always opposed the bill since its first introduction in 1996, some 15 years ago. Their contention of, Quota within Quota, may become, to some extent, a stumbling block for the bill to be cleared. But if BJP and Communists stand firm then it may pass muster after all. But the fact remains, that the bill remained almost in exile with only 10% of women representatives in the Lok Sabha, where whatever the changes, these political parties wanted, could have taken place. Whether it is the Congress, the BJP or the Communists, who support the bill, or the oppositions like RJD & SP, all are guilty of not having nominated any larger number of women in all these 15 years. In fact in the current 15th Lok Sabha there were only 59 women MPs in the total strength of about 550. Thus, the enactment of law is necessary for these women to be part of the nation’s decision making process. And the opposition parties like RJD and SP had all along fought the bill on the issue of ‘quota within quota’, which appeared only a lip service since situation within the party selections remained just as patriarchal as the parties were. Thus it was obvious they only wanted the status-quo to be continued. Has RJD or SP tried their ‘quota within quota’ in the 10% or 11% women already in the parliament? Doesn’t this prove their insincerity?
While there is no doubt, it is an extremely positive step in the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the long run, the question that begs for answer is how much this electoral reservation shall really help the marginalised section of women, who continue to rough it out and are at the receiving end of the socio-economic paradigm. Just look at the former union Child and Women Development minister Renuka Chaudhary, the bull-dozer of a politician. What has she really done for the betterment of women in general? She has been in politics for many decades, held elected position and that of union minister as well many times. She represents the haves of the society. Like of her, and they are so many of them, they have never promoted or espoused the cause of marginlised section of women in general.
ICDS (Integerated Child Development Scheme) has been one of the unique government of India schemes started to enhance child survival and its development from the poorer sections of the society.
This scheme employs some 10,00,000 anganwadi workers (AWs) and their helpers, and all of them women. The scheme has been acknowledged to be greatly successful due to dedicated workers. They are appointed on honorariums. They are not treated as government servants, only to deny them financial benefits available to government employees. The truth is these AWs are far more committed and productive than those government employees.
There are eight layers of supervision above these anganwadi workers and helpers. Starting from Minister to Secretary, to Commissioner to Jt. Director, to Dy. Director, to Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) to Asst. CDPO, to supervisor. All these personnel are getting paid government scaled salaries and getting accompanying perks. It was some brainwave of those IAS babus, to start the honorarium payment system for these anganwadi workers. After all India has a huge unemployed women force, some literate and some semi literate, hence getting women workers for anganwadies was no problem at all, without much financial burden.
Yes, coming to the compensation to these workers, less said the better. This ICDS programme is 34 years old. Probably Karnataka and other southern states are somewhat better in payment to these workers. Until recently anganwadi worker(AWs) in Karnataka were getting Rs: 1750/- and helpers Rs: 1000/- per month. It took them all these 34 years to reach there. If this is the story of Karnataka AWs, listen to Indukumari and Sangitha Rai from Samstipur in Bihar. ‘CDPO paid only Rs. 500/- once every 6 months,’ said Indukumari. According to Sangitha Rai most pa
rts of Samastipur distt. the sarpanch was given the responsibility of releasing honoraria, which gave them a kind of control over these AWs and hence they took ‘cuts’ while releasing the honoraria.Thus the sad accounts of these AWs is a story of ruthless exploitation of marginalised women of our society. Renuka Choudhary and her ilk have only spoken of the rights of women who were the haves of the society, like herself. They didn’t lose their sleep, because an AW goes home empty handed when she completes 60, that she had no savings for all the years that she slogged for a pittance. No, our system is heavily loaded against these women from beyond the national highways living on the margins. These WRBs or anything that goes by the term cannot do any better for these women.
There’s a whole lot of unorganised sector consisting of men and women. More than 80% of our work force is employed in unorganised sector. How does our so-called representative governments, which truly speaking, does not represent a whole section of ha
pless helpless humanity who are in need of succour can be called representative?Yes, the WRB has to be passed, but all political parties should seriously think and plan an inclusive strategy which should really curtail the free run these La Renuka Choudharies had all along, but include more who would empathise with the issues plaguing the women folks in general, both urban & rural. The true emancipation of women would come only with the goal of universal literacy of women. We have over 90% women literate in Mizoram, but its around 20% in Bihar. This has to change to make whole of India’s women folks over 90% literate. Only then the reservation would have made some sense. Or else likes of Renukas will rule the destinies of women and likes of Bihari women shall continue to remain largely illiterate. It will be like chasing a mirage.
Of course, this ‘quota within quota' although is for political compulsions of these Yadav & Company, its validity cannot be dismissed in the context of an India where the present 10% of women MPs in the parliament do not have representation from the marginalised poorer section. This is the reality all political parties should realise. Despite making appropriate noises these political parties, including the so-called most secular Communists, could not go beyond 10% of around 550 seats in the Loksabha. Infact, Communists had only one women representative, who happened to be the wife of Prakash Karat, the Gen. Secretary of CPM. Thus the legal reservation appears to be the only solution to promote women in parliament. That leaves the other, pertinent question unanswered. Would ‘quota-within-quota’ shall be the only solution to address this issue?
I&C Feature
USIS in India-on women
New Delhi: The U.S. Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer said, "During the month of March, the people of the United States of America join to celebrate the contributions of women to our nation’s vibrant history and culture, a history and culture built on the ideals of freedom, equality and democracy cherished by our two countries.
India is a remarkable place to celebrate the stature and accomplishments of women. Women have blazed the paths of India’s rich history and hold the promise for its bold future. It is no surprise that India boasts a female president, leader of the Congress Party, speaker of Parliament, former prime minister, and the first woman to be elected as president of the UN General Assembly. Everyone across the world recognizes Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa, whose work in India has inspired the lives of us all.
As I’ve traveled across this immense and beautiful country, from Chennai to New Delhi, and from Udaipur to Kolkata, meeting Indians from all walks of life, I am reminded daily of the reverence paid to Indian women, and to the family and social values our two countries share and cherish. I’ve had the honor to host women at Roosevelt House who were liberated from the oppressive and demeaning work of "scavengers" – cleaning human waste by hand – and have achieved true social integration. I’ve met with women community leaders across this country who shared their moving stories of lives transformed through maternal health programs, vocational education, and microenterprise loans.
Our countries recently launched the U.S.-India Women’s Empowerment Dialogue, covering issues from women’s social and economic empowerment, to micro-finance, education, and healthcare. Together, our countries can learn much from each other’s experiences as we pave the way toward a future recognizing women’s vital contributions to the prosperity, strength, and security of our world.
The United States and India are testament to the fact that the health and well being of a nation come in direct proportion to the freedom and empowerment of its women. I welcome this opportunity to recognize American and Indian women’s courageous contributions and achievements in the fight for equality."
-USIS release via Ravi Mendon, former International Herald Tribune representative in Mumbai
New Delhi: The U.S. Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer said, "During the month of March, the people of the United States of America join to celebrate the contributions of women to our nation’s vibrant history and culture, a history and culture built on the ideals of freedom, equality and democracy cherished by our two countries.
India is a remarkable place to celebrate the stature and accomplishments of women. Women have blazed the paths of India’s rich history and hold the promise for its bold future. It is no surprise that India boasts a female president, leader of the Congress Party, speaker of Parliament, former prime minister, and the first woman to be elected as president of the UN General Assembly. Everyone across the world recognizes Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa, whose work in India has inspired the lives of us all.
As I’ve traveled across this immense and beautiful country, from Chennai to New Delhi, and from Udaipur to Kolkata, meeting Indians from all walks of life, I am reminded daily of the reverence paid to Indian women, and to the family and social values our two countries share and cherish. I’ve had the honor to host women at Roosevelt House who were liberated from the oppressive and demeaning work of "scavengers" – cleaning human waste by hand – and have achieved true social integration. I’ve met with women community leaders across this country who shared their moving stories of lives transformed through maternal health programs, vocational education, and microenterprise loans.
Our countries recently launched the U.S.-India Women’s Empowerment Dialogue, covering issues from women’s social and economic empowerment, to micro-finance, education, and healthcare. Together, our countries can learn much from each other’s experiences as we pave the way toward a future recognizing women’s vital contributions to the prosperity, strength, and security of our world.
The United States and India are testament to the fact that the health and well being of a nation come in direct proportion to the freedom and empowerment of its women. I welcome this opportunity to recognize American and Indian women’s courageous contributions and achievements in the fight for equality."
-USIS release via Ravi Mendon, former International Herald Tribune representative in Mumbai
Dumped for travelling with male officials
Bhubaneshwar: At a time when the country is set to empower its women by giving them 33 percent reservation in legislatures, a woman farmer in Orissa has been dumped by her husband for going to New Delhi with male officials to receive a national award.
Mathura Sabar, 40, a tribal woman from Kusumjor village in Kalahandi district, was refused entry into her house by her husband for accompanying state officials to New Delhi to receive an award for successful mushroom farming from Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on February 26.
The mother of five was among 101 farmers selected from across the country to receive the award. She was accompanied by the Joint Director of the State Government and four other officials.
However, the joy of receiving an award was short-lived as her husband Ratan did not let her enter the house when she returned. "When I came back from Delhi my husband refused to allow me inside the house. I am clueless as to where I should go," Mathura, sarpanch of Rishagaon panchayat form 1997-2002, who currently runs a women self help group in the area, told media.
"My husband is questioning my character. But I had taken his permission before I went to Delhi," she said.
The district agriculture officials, who had recommended her name to the Agriculture Ministry for the award, are unable to help her. "We had recommended her name to the Agriculture Minister as a successful mushroom farmer. We made every effort so that she can go to New Delhi and receive that award. I got to know that her husband is not allowing her inside the house. What can we do if her husband does not accept her? Our job ended after she returned home with out any trouble," P Sethi, Assistant Director of Agriculture, told media.
Even repeated requests failed to convince Mathura’s husband, who works as a labourer."I pleaded with him. Villagers also tried to convince him. But he has refused to listen," Mathura, who now lives with her parents, said.
She does not feel helpless but is shocked at her husband’s irrational allegations. "I don’t need my husband’s money as I am independent. But I don’t understand the reason why he disowned me. It’s so silly," she said
Bhubaneshwar: At a time when the country is set to empower its women by giving them 33 percent reservation in legislatures, a woman farmer in Orissa has been dumped by her husband for going to New Delhi with male officials to receive a national award.
Mathura Sabar, 40, a tribal woman from Kusumjor village in Kalahandi district, was refused entry into her house by her husband for accompanying state officials to New Delhi to receive an award for successful mushroom farming from Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on February 26.
The mother of five was among 101 farmers selected from across the country to receive the award. She was accompanied by the Joint Director of the State Government and four other officials.
However, the joy of receiving an award was short-lived as her husband Ratan did not let her enter the house when she returned. "When I came back from Delhi my husband refused to allow me inside the house. I am clueless as to where I should go," Mathura, sarpanch of Rishagaon panchayat form 1997-2002, who currently runs a women self help group in the area, told media.
"My husband is questioning my character. But I had taken his permission before I went to Delhi," she said.
The district agriculture officials, who had recommended her name to the Agriculture Ministry for the award, are unable to help her. "We had recommended her name to the Agriculture Minister as a successful mushroom farmer. We made every effort so that she can go to New Delhi and receive that award. I got to know that her husband is not allowing her inside the house. What can we do if her husband does not accept her? Our job ended after she returned home with out any trouble," P Sethi, Assistant Director of Agriculture, told media.
Even repeated requests failed to convince Mathura’s husband, who works as a labourer."I pleaded with him. Villagers also tried to convince him. But he has refused to listen," Mathura, who now lives with her parents, said.
She does not feel helpless but is shocked at her husband’s irrational allegations. "I don’t need my husband’s money as I am independent. But I don’t understand the reason why he disowned me. It’s so silly," she said
Who said Women are not equal to men
Salesmen are trained to be patient. Especially when it comes to dealing with women. So when two women took more than half an hour at a Mulund saree shop and walked away without buying anything, the men at counter were not really surprised. Hours later they realised that the two hard-to please prospective customers had conned them into parting with a saree of Rs 30,000.
The incident took place on March 3 at Hastkala Studio located on RRT Road in Mulund west at 5.25 pm. Chirag Satra, owner of the store narrated, "One of them was in her 40’s while the other was in her 50’s. They looked like any other interested customer and told us that they had a budget of Rs 3,000 for a saree."
For the next half an hour the salesmen went all out to show the women their very best collection. Though they were interested in buying something worth Rs 3,000 they were shown expensive sarees as well. "It is quite a common practice to show expensive sareees even if the customer’s budget is not as much. We do it hoping they like something expensive," admitted Chirag.
The women checked out over 50 sarees in a span of half an hour. However, after the long session they walked away with a promise to return and check out the new collection. "We did not make too much out of it as it is quite common for customers to look at several sarees and not buy anything," added Chirag.
At 8 pm, a customer walked in and asked for a particular saree that was display a couple of days ago. When the salesmen began looking for it, they realised it was missing. "After a long search one of the salesmen remembered having showed the saree to the two women who had come in earlier. When we checked out CCTV footage we realised that the two women had cleverly stolen the saree," said Chirag.
The CCTV footage clearly reveals that while the women kept the salesmen busy they pulled out the saree worth Rs 30,000 from the pile. The younger woman tucked it under the saree hid it in her saree. With in minutes of stealing the expensive saree they walked away with on the pretext that they hadn’t liked anything.
Hastkala owners have now registered a complaint with Mulund police, who are hoping the footage will help them nab the culprits.
Salesmen are trained to be patient. Especially when it comes to dealing with women. So when two women took more than half an hour at a Mulund saree shop and walked away without buying anything, the men at counter were not really surprised. Hours later they realised that the two hard-to please prospective customers had conned them into parting with a saree of Rs 30,000.
The incident took place on March 3 at Hastkala Studio located on RRT Road in Mulund west at 5.25 pm. Chirag Satra, owner of the store narrated, "One of them was in her 40’s while the other was in her 50’s. They looked like any other interested customer and told us that they had a budget of Rs 3,000 for a saree."
For the next half an hour the salesmen went all out to show the women their very best collection. Though they were interested in buying something worth Rs 3,000 they were shown expensive sarees as well. "It is quite a common practice to show expensive sareees even if the customer’s budget is not as much. We do it hoping they like something expensive," admitted Chirag.
The women checked out over 50 sarees in a span of half an hour. However, after the long session they walked away with a promise to return and check out the new collection. "We did not make too much out of it as it is quite common for customers to look at several sarees and not buy anything," added Chirag.
At 8 pm, a customer walked in and asked for a particular saree that was display a couple of days ago. When the salesmen began looking for it, they realised it was missing. "After a long search one of the salesmen remembered having showed the saree to the two women who had come in earlier. When we checked out CCTV footage we realised that the two women had cleverly stolen the saree," said Chirag.
The CCTV footage clearly reveals that while the women kept the salesmen busy they pulled out the saree worth Rs 30,000 from the pile. The younger woman tucked it under the saree hid it in her saree. With in minutes of stealing the expensive saree they walked away with on the pretext that they hadn’t liked anything.
Hastkala owners have now registered a complaint with Mulund police, who are hoping the footage will help them nab the culprits.
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