THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The shrill blow of the whistle took Krishnamma and Padmavathy Amma on a sortie back to their school days. Long ago, they had braced themselves up for a sprint as fourth standard students during their school sports meet. Years later, they were set for a similar race, even though their once nimble legs had long lost their agility.
Well, it was not just Krishnamma and Padmavathy Amma, around 820 Kudumbasree Cleanwell workers from 72 cleaning units came together at Central Stadium here for the one-day Kudumbasree Cleanwell Workers’ Sports Fest organised by the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation on Sunday.
Krishnamma, 60, and Padmavathy Amma, 58, have been soulmates ever since their school days and were elated to be together in the sports fest.“We are so happy to be here. It is not just a respite for us from our labour. We will be cherishing this day for the rest of our lives,’’ said Padmavathy Amma.
Krishnamma was panting for breath after she had qualified for the finals of the 50-metre walk.“I am not tired. I had been a regular winner during my school days. I want to prove that age cannot wither me,’’ she said, grinning.
For most of the participants, it was a day to prove that they also belonged to the society. ``As Corporation workers, we have faced the worst. We have seen people puking at the sight of Corporation workers. Some have even spit at us. This is one rare day when we have felt that we are also treated as human beings,’’ said Baby.
Baby, who had lost her husband long ago, has been a Corporation worker for many years now. “I have always been alone in my life. I feel different today. When you find yourself with people similar to you at an event, you feel really great,’’ she added. It was for the first time that a sports day was being organised for the Kudumbasree Corporation workers in the city. The long list of participants for every item spoke a lot about how much they have been longing for this day.
The sports fest also had some comic moments, especially during the sack race and the 50-metre walk. The contestants seldom paid heed to the repeated pleas of the officials not to run during the 50-metre walk, as they virtually redefined the rules of the competition. An irate Santhamma was busy griping about how she was pushed out of the track by her fellow contestants in sprint and walk and how she lost a certain prize in both the events.
While the day turned out to be a recess for many, there were a few who were fretting about the amount of waste that would be awaiting them the following day. ``It is indeed a memorable day for us. But we can’t help feeling concerned about the extra number of plastic kits and garbage packs we’ll have to collect tomorrow,’’ said Leela, a contestant from Vazhuthacaud.
“This is indeed a commendable endeavour. The main aim of the sports fest is to bring the workers to the mainstream of society.
We are amazed by the sense of spirit and discipline displayed by the contestants irrespective of their age,’’ said G.R. Anil, Chairman, Health Standing Committee of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
The Corporation will conduct the sports festival on a regular basis and also organise an arts festival for the Corporation workers from next year onwards, he added.
trivandrum@expressbuzz.com
