Hello i am Sumathi from PTS. Today we have one of our member in Ambattur office. Let us know more about her. Sumathi. Hello sis. What is your name? Chitra: My name is Chitra. S: Where are you coming from? C: i am coming from Ayapakkam area. S: Are you a member in PTS? C: Yes from past 2 years. S: Tell us more about your family. C: My husband is no more. I have 2 kids. I am struggling to take care of them. I have no support from anybody. S: Ok. What are you working as? C: I do plumbing work. S: What!!!! Plumbing work?? C: Yes mam plumbing work. Why?? cant women do plumbing work? S: Normally we have seen men doing this work. SO i was surprised to hear it. How long you have been doing this work? C: I am doing this work from past 8 years. S: How did you learn this work? C: Its all in our mindset. Nothing is impossible. If we have the mindset to do any work, we can do any work in life. S: Are you doing small things in plumbing work or doing work like men do? C: I do all work like men. No one should think that we are unable to do certain things. SO i am working equally like men. S: Really happy for you. When i heard that you are doing plumbing work, even i was surprised. What kind of responses are you getting when you say that you are a plumber. C: Many are asking why are you doing this work. Why cant you learn stitching, do some other small business. I am not interested in that. I like doing this, i trusted my self and i am doing the work. There were many positive comments and supports. But i never expected any comment or support from anyone. I was doing my work. S: Is there anyone who got inspired from you and told you that they want to become plumber like you. C: Yea. People have told me but they are scared to do. I tell them there is nothing to get scared. Just like other works even this is a work. Be brave and do this work. S: Ok. Even when you came to this field, even you must be afraid. How did you overcome it. what do you want to say to everyone? C: Never think that women cannot do this work. Even your husbands may discourage you but you can do it. My husband used to go to shop to buy anything. I have never gone alone to shop. AFter him i was afraid thinking what will i do? how will i live? I am uneducated. I wanted my kids to get the education. Now he has finished his college. During my husband's death my son was in 5th std. I made my kids to study in English medium school. So be brave and come out of house.
