I am... Kavitha Arunagiri

Clothes ironer, Gupta Layout, Ulsoor.

December 29, 2013 01:20 pm | Updated 01:27 pm IST - Bangalore

Kavitha Arunagiri

Kavitha Arunagiri

“Clothes have always being a major part of my life. My mother used to iron clothes for a living and since the time I was born I have always being surrounded by clothes. I was 13 when I first took up the iron box and since then, there has been no turning back. Many may brush away what I do but I am glad that I play a vital part in people’s lives, especially how they look. Born and brought up in this locality, I have spent all my life in this place. I used to have a shed to press clothes but have now rented a small single room house with a makeshift window for the job.

Life is hard but doing a good job for people when they come here to get their clothes pressed and seeing them return happy is satisfying enough. I am content with what I have.

I am 33 now and married to a very loving husband who also irons clothes in Domlur area. My son is in ninth standard and studies in St. Meera’s School nearby. Before getting the house, we used to live in a place a little far from here so I used to be on my feet from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. But since we moved to this house, it has become a little comfortable and I can make time for household chores.

In a day we get around 100-150 clothes to iron but the work is not taxing. We stay open all days of the week and try our best to ensure our customers are happy and look their best.

Everyone has dreams and aspirations and though we barely make enough to make ends meet, we have dreams too. I want to buy a plot of land and build a house for the family. It’s my dream to give a better future for my child and hope he goes to a better place in life with his future.

(A weekly column on the men and women who make Bangalore what it is)

As told to Allan Moses Rodricks

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