My friend Eashwaramma. (how the other half lives ...) Part 2.

Day to day issues drain the 'already drained' ... When the government camp for free cataract operation was announced near Chandragiri Eashwaramma was eager, hoping that at least the non-blind eye would improve with surgery. She was up very early, so that she could do her cooking, and organize some fodder for her cow, and catch the train at Vallivedu. She, Sankaranna and some others left, thinking they would be back after a couple of days. She went tearfully as she had left the home and cow care to her little granddaughter, and was upset that the little child had no support but herself. But late that night the patients were back tired and hungry and unsuccessful as only limited number of operations were possible and majority of the candidates were turned back. She is awaiting information of another free camp.

Around the same time the Aadhaar (UID) card was being given, and as the news was that ration supply would be linked to that, it was a priority for people. Eashwaramma had been having an unbearable heel pain.... She hobbled in search of the Aadhaar card. For a week she walked daily to Ravaniahgaripally six kilometers away with her grandchildren to get their photographs taken for the card. The bus was not affordable for her. The cow back home would moo with hunger through the day as she would stand waiting in the queue there. But every day she would return without any success as the photos were being taken of people who were giving the demanded bribe of hundred rupees per photo. After a week of going daily, finally her work got done. ...