One of the families is that of Mukesh’. It comprises three males and two females: Mukesh, his brother, their father, their grandmother and the wife of Mukesh’ elder brother. The grandmother had watched her own husband go with the dust from polishing the glass of bangles. Mukesh’ father is a poor old bangle maker, who has ** to renovate a house and send his two sons to school. Mukesh and his brother make bangles. The wife of Mukesh’* brother is a traditional daughter-in-law who follows the customs and cooks food for the family. The grandmother believes in destiny and caste. Only Mukesh shows some sparks of fighting the system and declares that he wants to be a motor mechanic.
Savita, the elderly woman and her old, bearded husband form the other family. Young and innocent Savita works mechanically. The elderly woman highlights the plight of bangle makers who fail to enjoy even one full meal during the entire lifetime. The old man has an achievement to his credit. He has made a house for the family to live in. He has a roof ov er his head.
The lifestyle, problems and economic conditions of the two families are similar. There is only a difference of degree but not of kind in their existence and response to life’* problems.
