Kitchen Professional and Home Worker

-Vijayakumar Thulasisingam

A kitchen professional by the name of Jayanthi was appointed at our house, a month before the COVID lockdown, in the year 2019. She comes from a humble background, carries herself with dignity, and always arrives neatly dressed.

Her dedication to work and warm nature has made her an invaluable part of the household.

She comes by 8.30 a.m. and prepares breakfast, lunch and dinner. Jayanthi has a hunch back and yet, during the COVID times, she used to walk about four kilometers all the way from her house in aynavaram to egmore to cook in our house. Tears would roll down her eyes  due to the acute pain in her leg and back. Our family is fully dependent on her. It consists of three members-my wife Saraswati, daughter Priya and me. My wife suffers from rhumetoid arthiritis. She cannot stand more than ten minutes in the kitchen. I am a physically disabled person who retired from service in August 2023. Priya has completed a bachelor’s degree in Biotech. She has achieved an excellent academic milestone by securing high marks in her subject. Her accomplishment is a matter of pride for us and also serves as an inspiration to her fellow students. She is now preparing diligently for an M.tech in Biotechnology demonstrating remarkable dedication, discipline and enthusiasm for her chosen field.

Jayanthi’s family consists of her husband John and three daughters Prasanna, Christina and Sophia. John works as a sweeper in the civic corporation of Chennai. His income was not sufficient to run the family. Both Jayanthi and John got separated due to a lot of misunderstandings  in June 2025. Her first daughter Prasanna is married and has a daughter by the name of Pritika. She is studying in kindergarten. Jayanthi used to bring her granddaughter to our house during weekends. She used to play at our home with small toys. She is a bright and intelligent young girl whose hard work, curiosity and enthusiasm for learning are truly admirable.

Jayanthi’s second daughter Christina is studying computer science at the Women’s Christian College on College road. A first year student with a keen mind and a gentle spirit, she approaches learning with dedication and hope. By securing high marks in her examination she has demonstrated not only academic excellence but also unwavering dedication, discipline and perseverance. Her accomplishment is a source of pride for her mother and an encouraging example for her fellow students.

The third daughter Sophia goes for tailoring class. She has studied up to the tenth standard. She has excelled in her tailoring class through her dedication and creativity.

Recently about a month ago, Jayanthi started a canteen at Women christian college. She wakes up early morning at 4 a.m. and prepares vegetables, soup, chicken soup, horse gram soup and takes it to the canteen. Her daughters help her run this new enterprise. Jayanthi is and will always be an invaluable member of our household. Her culinary skill, dedication and commitment to quality also makes her an invaluable part of her canteen. Her thoughtful assistance has been a small yet significant act of service, contributing to the smooth  rhythm of our daily life and the well being of the entire household.

Our homeworker goes by the name of Sheeba. She comes early in the morning in a  cotton saree —it’s folds arranged with quiet precision. Her appearance carries a sense of  dignity that neither wealth not status can ever bestow. She cleans the vessels, puts the washed clothes to dry from the washing machine, sweeps and cleans the floor with almost devotion and dedication. A hardworking and resilient women .

Sheebas  is a widow. Her family consists of a daughter called Anitha, son-in-law Praveen and two grandchildren Presita and Alexander. Sheeba picks up her grandchildren from school who then stay with her at home while their parents work.

Whenever we have fallen sick, it is the kitchen professional and home worker who stood by us and carries us through difficult times. We have shared happiness and sadness through marriages, hospital visits, trying times. Whenever Jayanthi has been on leave, Sheeba has stepped in. Whenever Sheeba goes on leave, Jayanthi steps in. They work in flawless synergy and mutual understanding of and empathy for our needs.

As Pongal draws near, the cook devotes herself to preparing the house for the cherished harvest festival. Before the first rays of the festival dawn appear, she moves gracefully through the rooms, dusting every shelf, window and piece of furniture with meticulous care.

Even on rainy days, where dark clouds have covered the sky and the street glistens with puddles, the cook has always arrived faithfully on time. Shielding herself from the relentless rain, she has made her way through the wet roads with determination and commitment. Her clothes carry the freshness of the rain and her spirit remains undiminished.

Day in and day out, she fills the kitchen with warmth and the comforting aroma of freshly prepared food.

With the support of the kitchen professional and home worker, we are able to survive.

We are grateful for their dedication, honesty and hard work.

We thank them for their excellent service and commitment.

Thus, a household flourishes through the dedication of its kitchen professional and homeworker, whose sincere efforts brings  nourishment, cleanliness, comfort and harmony to everyday life.

About the Author:

Vijayakumar Thulasisingam is a Chennai based non-fiction story writer 

who writes about familial relationship sand social issues. He is a retired professional who is interested in inspirational and non-fictional stories.