Dedicated to the hundreds of Dhobhis (washermen/women) across India, facing the latest battle of development versus livelihood. In Chandigarh, the Administration decided to implement modernity by raising all Dhobhi Ghats (areas where clothes are handwashed) and launch swanky washing machines and tumble dryers. The change was implemented without a feasibility study, let alone a consultation process with the stake-holders themselves. The result was clear from the pilot project at Sector 15 Dhobhi Ghat - residents weren't happy with the quality of the washing (how could machines imitate the scrubbing and meticulous cleaning practice of hand wash, that is traditional to India) and in most cases there clothes were ruined because of colours running and exposure to high heat in the dryers. The dhobhis very livelihood is at stake with the customers refusing to pay the escalated costs of washing and ironing their clothes. After all, as one Dhobhi put it,"The electricity doesn't belong to my father!"
16.5.10
Na Ghar ke na Ghaat ke
Dedicated to the hundreds of Dhobhis (washermen/women) across India, facing the latest battle of development versus livelihood. In Chandigarh, the Administration decided to implement modernity by raising all Dhobhi Ghats (areas where clothes are handwashed) and launch swanky washing machines and tumble dryers. The change was implemented without a feasibility study, let alone a consultation process with the stake-holders themselves. The result was clear from the pilot project at Sector 15 Dhobhi Ghat - residents weren't happy with the quality of the washing (how could machines imitate the scrubbing and meticulous cleaning practice of hand wash, that is traditional to India) and in most cases there clothes were ruined because of colours running and exposure to high heat in the dryers. The dhobhis very livelihood is at stake with the customers refusing to pay the escalated costs of washing and ironing their clothes. After all, as one Dhobhi put it,"The electricity doesn't belong to my father!"
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