It was an unpretentious looking tin box, and it sat hidden behind the small pile of cotton sarees in her Godrej steel almirah. We all knew it was there, and we all knew what it contained. But it was still kept there, partially concealed, possibly from prying eyes. It was what Amma called her “ Daan ka Dabba “
Every month when Papa brought in the salary, Amma would forgo her afternoon nap on that one day, to carefully put aside money for the fixed monthly expenses. The payments for the maid, the maali, the newspaper man, the school fees and so on. Next she would call us in to give us our pocket monies. Each time we would protest weakly and ask for a raise, and each time she would promise to think about it the next month. Then she would ask me to fetch her daan ka dabba. She would count it’s contents, nod in satisfaction, and add an amount to top it. The dabba went back to its place in the almirah.
This was the monthly ritual.
When I was small, I always wondered about the purpose of the box. Couldn’t charity or alms be given directly from the salary account ? Why put aside a set amount for it?
As I grew older I began to appreciate the importance of the little tin box.
As in most middle class salaried families, in our house too, the cash flow dwindled to a trickle by the third week of the month. Amma ruled with a tight fist after that and every expense, small or big was questioned, discussed, and more often than not, thrown out of the window because “she had no money left”. Next month, was always the promise. We learnt to make our demands in the beginning of the month, when they were more likely to be met with.
Yet, and my little mind always wondered how, any necessary expense was taken care of even after Amma had declared that her coffers were empty. Sometimes, she even managed to come up with the money to take us all to the circus, after we had assured her that it would not stay on till the next month.
And that was where her Daan ka Dabba came in. Each month she would delve into it to meet her unforeseen expenses, and each month she would put the withdrawn amount back when the salary came in. Her own little bank.....Of course, true to its name, the daan also flowed from it as and when required.
Over the years, I too have got around to having my own daan ka purse. I put into it some money each month, also adding to it whatever comes in from selling the raddi ! Is it useful? Yes sir !! How often have I helped my maids in their times of need with loans that I will not deduct from their salary? How often have I bought a school bag, or books , or other necessities for the maids’ kids using the daan ka purse?
Do I really need to have a piggy bank and put aside money for these charity purposes?
No, not really. By God’s grace, we have the means to meet those expenses.
But my daan ka dabba keeps me connected to Amma and her values in its own unique way. It keeps me grounded. It reminds me again and again of the difficult times our parents have been through to make us into what we are today.
It is my homage to Amma and her management skills!
