Iron Man

You can see his son running into the picture. Squint your eyes a little, and you'll notice under the canopy, a thin stick-like figure looking downward. That's him. That's Iron Man taking a breather.

Armed with his trusted coal block press, Radheshyam ensures I look presentable at work each day. He goes about his job with a notable diligence. It's monotonous alright, he knows it better than we do. But it's a majboori on his part. His kids help him distribute the ready ironed kits to the customers in the vicinity.

My first interaction with Radheshyam turned out to be very interesting. I had asked him to iron my cuffs in a slightly different manner than the one popularly followed. Immediately, he looked up from his work table and smirked, "Lagta hain aap Mumbai ke rehne wale ho."

I was floored with this claim, not to mention the instant deduction he used for it. He narrated his story of the 2 years spent in Mumbai and his 'learning' while in the city. He was doing the same work there too. He liked the city but was put out of business because of fierce competition. Radheshyam was a resident of Colaba in those days.

Now, with the "Mumbai connection", we greet each other with a smile. The few times I'm waiting to pick up my clothes, I engage in general conversation...his lifestyle and routine here in Delhi. He replies with steady pauses, coal iron in one hand moving back and forth and his other arm resting against the wooden table for support.

Iron Man with his iron hand. Pressing towards survival.