She gets up earlier than everybody else in the house. It’s 5! I overslept again, she thinks. She wakes up the kids, gives them milk and makes tea for the others. Her morning is hectic to ensure that everybody else’s morning is perfect. Then, it’s running after the kids to hurry up — that school bus has to be caught. Sometimes, when the school bus leaves without the kids, she drops them to school. Then it’s breakfast for the husband, and if possible, some slices of bread for herself. Then, it’s a mad rush to get to the office in time. Corporate life does not recognize ‘kids missed the school bus’ as a valid excuse for coming late. Neither does office work. She works away, reports, presentations, deliverables, assignments. But some part of her mind is alert to the kids — they’ll be back soon. What snacks will they eat? They have to start studying as well. But still, the work doesn’t suffer. While the rest of us know about work from home, she homes from work. By the time it’s evening, it’s time to rush back home. Kids’ homework beckons. Their exams are approaching, too. She makes them study — Science, Maths, English, languages, she knows it all. She has to. Maybe she steals a moment to enjoy a cup of tea in the middle of it all. Then, it’s time to cook dinner. Husband will return soon. What do I make today? Something different. How about rajma? No, we had it just last week. Maybe some bhindi. Let me rush out and get it. No it’ll get too late. I’ll make rajma only, but a different preparation today. Husband returns. Dinner time. Now it’s time to pack off the kids to bed. Then she exchanges notes on the day with husband, but her eyes are shutting on her. 16 hours of non-stop work take their toll. She takes the days newspaper, but it goes to the stack unread, like most other days. TV, maybe? Eyes close further. I’m sorry, I wish I could pay more attention to how your day was at work. She hits the bed. Tomorrow’s another day, another battle, and yes, another victory.

She’s unsung, you won’t recognize her in a crowd. She’s not on TV, she’s not in the newspaper. She could be your mother, your sister, your wife or that neighbourhood aunty you’ve always admired. She’s that invisible fuel that keeps us running.

This Women’s Day, I salute the Everyday Woman. Without you, this world would have folded a long time ago.