Sunanda

Our Mindset Episode 27 Auntie (Mami) couldn’t really afford to hire help. Their only income came from farming. Her eldest son had a job, but his salary had to support his wife, three kids, and the household expenses. Auntie’s pension barely covered the telephone and electricity bills, Mangu’s mobile recharge, fuel for the bike, and … Read more

Our Mindset Episode 26 One thought dominated my mind—I had to ignore Mangu, Mami, and my husband. I just had to finish my work, take my children, and go to work every day. I packed my lunch and went to Bhabi’s house. She was happy to see me. She had two Jersey cows and said, … Read more

Our Mindset Episode 25 In the morning, the daughter-in-law of the elderly woman next door came over to invite me for a Haldi-Kunku ceremony. She said, “I came by yesterday, but you weren’t home. We have a special gathering for married women today. Finish your chores and come help with the cooking.” My husband had … Read more

Our Mindset Episode 24 As I was leaving, she said, “You really don’t understand, do you? That’s why I worry about you.” It was funny—Patil had been making plans involving me, which he shared with Baloo. And Baloo, in turn, shared everything with his little group of four. That’s how she knew everything that was … Read more

Our Mindset Episode 23 After finishing our meal, she looked at me and said, “If your husband had brought groceries yesterday, you wouldn’t have come here today.” I was surprised. How did she know we hadn’t bought groceries? I asked, “How do you know?” She smiled. “Baloo told me this morning. He and the other … Read more

Our Mindset Episode 22 Every morning and evening, every woman faces the same dilemma—what to cook? Chapati or Bhakri? And what vegetable to make? Little children always ask their mother first for what they want. That day, there were no vegetables at home. I made chapatis and crushed them into sugar water for the kids. … Read more

Our Mindset Episode 21 Sunday morning arrived. He said, “Since the sugarcane is soaking, the goats don’t have grass to graze on. So, come along with the goats to the farm near the river. I’ll be staying there all day.” Pradeep’s farm was near the well by the river. Since I had arrived, I hadn’t … Read more

Our Mindset Episode 20 What could I have done even if I had known? Would it have made any difference? Back in Velapur, I saw him getting close to my aunt-in-law. Back then, we didn’t have electricity 24/7. It was summer, and the house would get unbearably hot. So, I would take the children and … Read more

Our Mindset Episode 19 In the morning, my husband left with a bottle of milk. Before leaving, he said, “Cut enough grass to last the whole day. Once I return, we need to soak the sugarcane. After watering it once, we won’t be able to cut grass for another five or six days.” I finished … Read more

Our Mindset Episode 18 Mangu and Mami left in the morning, and by noon, my husband’s other aunt and her son arrived. He was newly married, and we had attended his wedding. We had stayed for four days. His wife was my sister-in-law’s niece—prettier than me. And it was this very aunt who had first … Read more