Wheels of progress

Having spent over two decades in the profession,Chavan recounts her journey: “I started off by selling cardboard boxes in this area,like my mother,” she said. “When my mother would go hunting for boxes,she would leave me here,in the care of these cycle fitters. I would observe them at their work. I watched and learnt. And they too encouraged my questions and helped me master the craft.” So what made her make the shift to cycle repair work? “I found the cardboard business very dull. I like this more,it is enjoyable.”

Over the years,Chavan has gained a great deal of expertise in the job. She and her co-workers,whom she calls her family,sit at the pavement and operate from there. Chavan explains that she can do basic repair work and can even make a frame and assemble an entire cycle. At this point,Swami,who works with her at the shop,steps in and says,”There is some complicated repair work,like fixing break failure,which even I can’t do. But Laxmi does it easily.”

“All of them have supported me a lot,” she says,“They’ve treated me well,and helped me pick up the trade.” This community of cycle fitters is close knit,and Chavan often does repair work for neighbouring shops as well,which is a source of extra income for her.

Though Chavan is aware that women in this profession are a rarity,she is quick to point out that this life is one of hardship for men as well. “I have seen so many men,who have grown old doing this same work. They spend their lives on the pavement,brave all sorts of weather,and never manage to progress from this. The government should recognise our plight. We would like some support from them. They could help us set up a shop or even an enclosure or a tent,to protect us from extreme weather. When we work from the pavement,we also have to face the wrath of policemen,who keep driving us off. But where can we go?”

Stepping into an unusual profession comes with its own drawbacks. Has she never come across opposition from family members or friends? “My entire family is very supportive. They know what I am doing and they have no problem. But there are a couple of people here who keep telling me that as a woman,I should not be doing such work,” she reveals,adding,“They don’t take me seriously,and sometimes cause trouble.” And then,in strong support of her gender,she says,“Go to any construction site. Don’t you see women labourers carrying debris and construction material on their heads? Go to farms,and you’ll see women doing manual labour. Women are capable of being in any profession. But they are not given due credit.”

For now,Chavan is happy working in this field. She is not closed to the idea of trying something else,but is very clear about one thing – she cannot work in an environment of suppression. “I have never worked under someone else’s domination,and I cannot fit into that mould. I need my own independence,like I get out here,” she says. At the same time,you can see a glimmer of aspiration in her eyes,a dream for bigger and better things. “I have a passport ready. Some of my friends have gone to Dubai,and have said that they will help me get some work there. If it’s in my fate to go abroad,I would love to,” she says.