Well, I’m bad at remembering names, so I will simply call her Auntie. On my recent trip to Goa, she was working at Johnny’s Sand Dunes Shack right outside Hotel Goan Heritage on Calangute Beach. The very first morning when we went out for a walk, she greeted us with a big smile: “Aao sir, betho. Massage karwayenge? Accha massage karungi. Humare paas sab kuch hai. Water sports karenge?“. Well, this is a common dialogue that you will hear from all the people working across different shacks here. What was distinct about her was her simplicity. We were on a morning run, so we moved on with a promise that we would come back to her. That evening, as promised, we went there for a foot massage and engaged in some casual conversation.

Goa shacks work on a seasonal basis. Just like many shacks, even the labourers are temporary. I have met many in these years of my travels, and each individual has their own unique story. Aunty and her son, both working at this shack, have their own. While getting a massage on the last day, I asked her how they managed last year during the lockdown. After asking the question, I was scared that I might have triggered a sensitive topic, but she was strong enough to answer with a smile: “Sir, humein khaane ki bohot dikkat hui. Ghar pe kuch nahi tha. Tab sardar logo ne bohot madad ki. Unhone humein chawal, dal aur sabzi di taaki humara guzara chal sake.” I’m not sure about her, but it surely triggered something in me. I felt ashamed that, on one side, the government was asking for money from people without providing its due support. And on the other side, there are groups of people who are upholding humanity. This is when I realised how blessed I am.

Every inch of this country has a survival story. These last two years have made us even stronger as the world changed its course.
Count your blessings. Be grateful.