Nurses in Kolkata demand salary hikes, equal pay and better facilities in 2021 Nurses in Kolkata demand salary hikes, equal pay and better facilities in 2021 Wasteland

Chandrika Chechi of the Wastelandtalksabout the homes one entersonly through the back door.doubleu casino

of the flatswhere one entersthrough the front door —the ones with the porch light on.

returning daily from the marketplaceboth the fish and she sharethe same path —the one through the back door.

entering through the very same route,while hearing the televisionblare the pledge aloud on August 15 —all Indians are my brothers and sisters.

—Translated from Malayalam by Tijo Thomas

Vijila Chirappad, Kerala

(Vijila Chirappad is a Dalit poet from Kerala. Her works talk about caste and gender issues. She has published two collections of poetry, Adukkalayillatha Veedu [Kitchenless Home] and Amma Oru Kalppanika Kavithayalla [Mother is Not a Romantic Poem]. Three of her poems have been selected for an anthology of Dalit by Oxford University Press.)

I have seen the pain and sufferingThat I longed for each and every foodgrain

With whom should share my sorrows?I haven’t found a good friend yet

My beloved mother had said child, grow up,You have to become the arms of your father

You will bear the home on your shouldersSo stand up on your feet

And I was drunk in youthfulness away from such motherly adviceAnd friend, I never knew in which direction my life will take me

And friends, it has been years since I had bread baked by mother,I never thought my life would be spent without seeing home again

O people, we strangers have seen much oppression,For building a house, we left our country

And friend Aamir, what sorrow keeps you away from sleep?I’ve seen many people go from rags to riches

—Translated from Gojri

Aamir Chauhan, Jammu & Kashmir

(Aamir Chouhan is a Gojri poet and hip-hop artist hailing from Mendhardoubleu casino, Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. He released his debut single in 2017—a Gojri rap piece, making him the pioneer in this genre. His songs focus on social issues and tribal community-related challenges.)

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