Mobile Girls Koottam – Working Women Speak

This engaging chronicle highlights the experiences of Indian working women through their own voices, featuring conversations about their lives, work, and dreams, enriched by illustrations and the charm of their interactions.

Mobile Girls Koottam – Working Women Speak is a witty exploration of the realities faced by contemporary Indian working women, particularly those in the electronics sector. The narrative begins in 2013 when Madhumita Dutta, a doctoral student, travels to Kancheepuram district in Tamil Nadu for her research. During her time there, she connects with a group of women—Kalpana, Abhinaya, Satya, Lakshmi, and Pooja—who share their experiences while working in a local factory. The women gather in their rented room, fostering a sense of community as they sip tea and record their thoughts for a radio podcast titled Mobile Girls Koottam.

The book presents a unique perspective on the lives of young rural migrant women, allowing them to voice their stories in their own words. Through the podcast transcripts, readers are invited to engage in a journey of learning and unlearning, reflecting on their own privileges while imagining the complexities of working-class women’s lives. The conversations cover a wide range of topics, from the challenges of factory work and the significance of tea stalls to personal experiences surrounding menstruation, each woman contributing her distinct viewpoint to the dialogue.

Illustrated by Madhushree Basu, the discussions in Mobile Girls Koottam are not only thought-provoking but also infused with humor and emotion. The result is a rich tapestry of voices that highlights the resilience, aspirations, and struggles of these women, making it an important contribution to the understanding of gender and labor in contemporary India.