Beyond complaints

It was over 24 years ago that Kusum Rajaram Kanse,43 now,managed to convince her parents to join the department,arguing that it was a stable and respectable job. “Most people,even now,have this notion that only men deliver post; they are surprised to see a postwoman at their door. They,however,give us respect and treat us well,” says Kanse,who covers Bangurnagar area in Goregaon West. “We feel proud when people recognise that we are from the India Post,as we wear the khakhi uniform. They could mistake us for courier staff or saleswomen when we wear the blue uniform.”

At times,her job is a tall task,literally — she has to cover over 50 buildings usually three-four storeys tall and without elevators. It’s the love,respect and satisfaction of seeing people’s happy faces that makes it easier. “I feel happy when I deliver a money order to some family or parents who need money or hall tickets to students.” And,people too reciprocate these feelings. “There are times when I meet youngsters who have reached high positions but remember and thank me for delivering their exam application forms or hall tickets in time.”

It could have been the lure of a permanent job or the additional perks of being a government servant that made BA graduate Shilpa Sanjay Palav to apply for the post,but the exclusivity of being one among the few postwomen is what keeps her going. “The charm of delivering letters is not the same. We used to deliver letters to families earlier; now it’s more to banks and companies,” she says.

Palav who has been delivering mail in Virar for the past 10 years says people’s approach have changed. “Those who knew me would once in a while call me inside for a cup of tea after a hard day’s work. But now,banks and companies have a professional approach.” There have been interesting reactions,too. “Some tell me that this job is not fit for a woman,especially if she is married as we have to roam around a lot; some appreciate us and offer sweets.”

She trudges seven-eight km and visits 80-90 buildings a day. “We should have more postwomen and postmen. The work is strenous; we need more people so that we do not miss any house.”

Akanksha Ashok Rediz,39,not only trudges five-seven km daily to distribute letters but also travels 140 km from her Nallasopara home to Vashi. Recently felicitated at a function on women’s day,the mother of a five-year-old has never asked for a transfer. “It’s my duty to deliver posts. There is a certain respect for India Post. If I can’t go on foot and deliver letters,then how will the people get their letters… Once I delivered a passport to someone and he was jumping with joy. It’s a sight I will never forget.” She says her job was the most trying when she was pregnant. “I was seven months’ pregnant and had to climb to the fourth floor; it was difficult. But people are caring; that helps.”

As years pass by and age catches up,the usual climb in buildings without lifts does get tiring for Kanse. “It was easy climbing long flights of stairs and roaming around on foot in nearby localities for four-five hours earlier. The knee-joint pains make it difficult for me to climb stairs now,but I have never shunned my duty.”

Abha Singh,director of Postal Services,Maharashtra & Goa,says these postwomen had been working relentlessly. “They do it every day and at every stage in their lives without complaints; that’s a commendable feat.” It’s over 52 years after the Trivandrum postal division recruited the first postwoman — K Padmakshy Amma. The Mumbai division,which includes Thane and Raigad,has around 700 postwomen,one of the highest in a division.