India female sanitation workers overjoyed after $1.2m lottery win

M Radha, a sanitation worker in the southern state of Kerala, says when she checked her mobile phone on July 27, she could not believe her eyes; she had won the 100 million rupees ($1.2m) lottery jackpot.

The 49-year-old had pooled money along with 10 other colleagues to buy the 250 rupees ($3) monsoon bumper lottery ticket in June.“I screamed loudly and hugged my colleagues who stood in disbelief,” an overjoyed Radha told Al Jazeera at her workplace in Parappanangadi municipality in Malappuram district.

“It is the best thing that has happened to our lives. We had purchased many lottery tickets before. But our time has come only now,” she said.

The group of 11 women work to segregate non-biodegradable waste at the Material Collection Facility in Parappanangadi municipality.

The women said they struggle to make ends meet with their current daily wage of about 400 rupees ($5). Many of them are in debt, they said.

“I hope this jackpot will end my misery forever,” the 74-year-old widow, who supports her family, said.

K Chandrika was bedridden for seven months after she suffered a stroke nearly a year ago. The 53-year-old survived but she incurred massive debt.

“I am in deep debt. I was clueless – how to pay off my debts. I hope the jackpot will save me,” Chandrika, who joined work a few days before buying the ticket, told Al Jazeera.

“This is a God-sent gift,” she said.Not to leave their jobs
The jackpot has taught the women to dream big, but they have decided not to leave their job at the Haritha Karma Sena (Green Task Force) launched by the local government in 2016, which plays a key role in keeping the state clean.

The sanitation workers collect non-biodegradable waste from households and public bins, bring them to the collection facility, segregate them and send them for shredding and recycling.

“It is a low-paying job, but it gives us plenty of energy,” said 48-year-old Sheeja. They earn between 12,000 rupees ($144) and 14,000 rupees ($170) a month.“We forget all our miseries and misfortunes when we work here. We sing songs and pull each other’s legs. It is impossible to leave this work until we are down with serious illnesses.”

“Nonetheless, it is a big amount for us. We require the money to pay back our bank loans and buy essentials,” said 55-year-old Parvathy.Gauri P, the secretary of the Green Task Force, said the jackpot would definitely improve the financial condition of poor women.

“For them, work is worship. They work hard to keep the municipality clean of non-degradable waste,” she said while overseeing the waste collection.

Recognising their hard work and dedication, last year the local government declared them the best Green Task Force in the state.

Accolades and anxiety
The rare camaraderie of the sanitation workers has won accolades from many quarters. Feminist historian and academic J Devika said she was happy for them.

“The poor are expected to toil endlessly for even the most insignificant welfare benefit. Lady Luck has let them cock a snook at neoliberalism’s punitive work ethic,” Devika told Al Jazeera.

“It brings people together. I hope the spirit endures because it is hard for it to survive in these times in which individual gain is the watchword in everything,” she said.

Meanwhile, in Parappanangadi, the women are looking forward to receiving the prize money.

Malappuram district lottery officer, Lethish NH, said the amount will be disbursed immediately after the women submit relevant documents.

“There will not be any delay from the part of the lottery department if the documents are perfect,” he said.