Gauna (Lalitpur)
People laughed seeing me at work, but this never deterred me,” said Lakshmibai Kushwaha, 45, while plastering a house. Masonry has been considered men’s job for years. Lakshmibai was the first woman in her region to break this myth.
“I learnt masonry when I realized I would get less money in carrying brick and concrete. After my husband’s death, I have looked after my four children with this work. Now people have begun to acknowledge my craft,” said Lakshmibai.
The story of Lakshmibai Kushwaha is an inspiration for millions of women in the country. Lakshmi was first known by her husband’s name, but not anymore. She is now identified as Laxmibai Mistry (Mason). When people come calling, they call her out as karigar.
“Seeing me work with a trowel the villagers used to laugh and ridicule me saying: ‘look, this woman is doing masonry’. Their work was to laugh while my work was to carry on,” said Lakshmi, who never bothered about people.
Lakshmi has now become a successful artisan with her skills and confidence. Lakshmibai resides in Gauna village of Mehroni Tehsil, 65 km east of Lalitpur District headquarters, one of the most backward districts in Bundelkhand.
Lakshmi has two sons and two daughters. She has married off her two daughters and a son since her husband’s death. Lakshmi’s husband, Pyarelal Kushwaha, died 15 years ago. After her husband’s death, suddenly the responsibility of the whole family fell on Lakshmibai’s shoulders, but she did not give up and learnt the work at her parents’ house which became her strength.”
Lakshmibai, sitting on a platform in front of her house, said: “After ten years of married life my husband passed away. My relatives were pressing for another marriage. I couldn’t have married another abandoning my four children.”
Lakshmibai’s eyes welled up when she said: “There was a lot of pressure for the second marriage, but then I would look at my children, and think whom would they call a mother. I was ready to suffer, but not to marry yet another time.”
Lakshmibai has already built houses in more than half a dozen villages around her village. She works on government buildings, culverts, etc.
Becoming a successful artisan was not easy for Lakshmibai. It was challenging for her to do masonry’s work while looking for housework and children.
She said: “It was necessary for me to do this work for bread and butter. I would get up early in the morning to make food and then go to work. Still, I never neglected looking after my kids. I provided them the love of both parents.”
Mason’s job is very physically demanding. At 45, Lakshmibai is already suffering back problem due to increase in workload. In the15 years since her husband’s demise, she endured all sorts of hardships in life. She starved herself so that her children may eat.
Remembering the old days Lakshmibai said: “I did as much as I could for the sake of my children and I will continue to work as long as these hands are good! My children were not able to wear good clothes. We wore sarees and clothes handed over by the villagers. I endured great hardships to raise my children.”
Sharing her work experience, Lakshmibai said: “When I work, people stop their cars and look at me, sometimes to laugh. ‘Look, women are doing masonry’. Some people say women’s job is to be a construction worker and not what she has taken up.”
“No woman can take up masonry anywhere around, but I do it. I think that i have to do some work or the other, I get tired after working all day with my hands that too, perched atop walls. For making culverts, I even have to crush stones,” admitted Lakshmibai.
Masonry is quite tough! The work of a labourer is less demanding, so the money is low too. A labourer receives Rs 150 per day, while a mason gets Rs 300 to 350.
Lakshmibai has no land of her own. Although, she was provided 1.25 acres on lease 7-8 years ago, she could not obtain the possession till today! So, she has to do something to provide for her children whether masonry or labour. They manage in whatever they get.
Lakshmana said: “A government school was being constructed; I told the contractor to offer me the job. He asked me whether I can do masonry. I said yes! He found it difficult to believe so I showed my work to him and was also supported by the villagers who showed him the work that I had done and only then the contractor hired me. Soon, he gave the entire contract to build the school to me! After that, I began getting more work. For 4-6 year, I worked for various government projects. Then I began getting all work in the village. I do whichever work I get.”
Those villagers who used to jeer at her now recognize her hard work and struggle and look to her with respect.
