65 year old Ashraf Begum with her hard work softens the “heavy metals” iron. She transforms the iron into liquid iron and casts it into tools. By doing the work of a black smith, Ashraf Begum is eking out her livelihood. She burns the heavy metal on fire to brighten the future of her 4 children. Seeing a burqa-clad woman using the air blower to heat the iron is a rare scene, but you can see the Muslim woman blacksmith on the footpath of Ansari road.
Ashraf Begum and her 70 year old husband Shaikh Vali work at an iron furnace under a plastic shed. Shaikh Vali is bedridden for two months after he had paralysis attack. Since then Ashraf Begum is working on the furnace all alone. She says one has to endure sufferings and hardships to lead a life. Sometimes while running the furnace it seems as if the whole body is burning in the furnace but the zeal to work, reduces the temperature and also the heat of the fire.
She says she is working with her husband for 3 to 4 decades. She has 3 daughters and a son. The eldest one is 19, second one is 17 and the 3rd daughter is 12 years old while the son is the youngest aged 8 years.
Siasat news