18th January 1983. Its been full 28 years and several generations now. Probably the longest battle fought by common man who apparently has no face to his voice. Once upon a time in Mumbai, Mill workers were the identity of the city. But now if you ask any youngster of from the city, "What is Phoenix Mill??". He will probably revert back saying "ohh Pheonix Mill is awesome dude..its great place to hang out..we always go to that MALL." Yes.. Mill on whose reliance many families were living had vanished replaced by this MALL. Understandably except for original old residents of Mumbai, not many people know about infamous mill workers strike that stirred, boiled, burned and destroyed the lives of 2 lakh mill workers. 2 lakh is certainly not a small number. We feel sorry and concern for tigers & these men were those who lived amongst us. These men were those who provided city and the country with cloth, remained indeed nothing more than a naked truth.
Aftereffects of infamous 1982 Mill workers strike in mumbai saw the lives of simple middle class maharashtrians, breaking into pieces. Strike saw the series of consequences that triggered count down of my mumbaikars. It triggered the 'END OF MILL WORKERS ERA'. 2.5 lakh people who were sole source of income,lost their jobs. Khatau Mill is just representative of 60 mills that closed overnight.
Many lost their lives. Many lost their wives. To feed the hungry, girls of good families had to get into dirty business. Girls who yesterday were studying under dim light in the house, today they were standing under the darkness of red light. People committed suicide. Strike which indeed destroyed Mumbaikar.
Many lost their lives. Many lost their wives. To feed the hungry, girls of good families had to get into dirty business. Girls who yesterday were studying under dim light in the house, today they were standing under the darkness of red light. People committed suicide. Strike which indeed destroyed Mumbaikar.
Businessmen fled away selling their lands to corporate industries. Places of mills are now either captured by Malls/corporate offices or Skyscraper.Because of growing poverty and no other source of income, mill workers sold their property in mumbai and shifted out of it. Some went back to their native places. Others followed their foot steps. Mumbaikar was thrown out of Mumbai.
Mumbai lost its original people..Mumbai Lost its base..and People lost Mumbai!!!Mumbai lost its shine..n which was replaced by what we call now.."City of dreams".
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Pankaj Kanade.
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Pankaj Kanade.
