Behind The Fall Of Phoenix Mills Analysis
Statement of Intent:
This journal entry aims to bring out the historical context of the story behind the fall of the Phoenix Mills; a bustling industrial precinct in the heart of Mumbai to its audience, inhabitants of the city who may be interested in the city’s history. It is an interesting read stylized as a journal entry with the purpose of informing the reader about the hidden history behind Phoenix Mills. This first person reflective entry brings out the gravity of the situation in the mills through its serious tone and formal language.
Entry #1-
Gayatri Deshpande, a worker in the reeling department in the Bitia Mills(Phoenix Mills)i the monsoon of 1939
It has been a difficult time of us. After the mill management increased workload …show more content…
While going around the neighboring ‘chawls’ doing the routine collection for money and food for the striking workers, I heard the strangest news. S.A. Dange, our communist leader, had invited Subhash babuto the Mills today to support us mills hands. By late afternoon, thousands of us had gathered in front of the mill. In the paddy field we stood, a sea of black umbrella’s as far as the eye could see was serving as a shield against the typical monsoon rains of India. ‘Then Dange said, “Subhash-babu wants to see all of you, but all he can see is umbrellas.” In a moment all the umbrellas closed, and the workers stood in the rain. Subhash-babu was taken …show more content…
Unable to bear this catastrophe, the management called the police because of which thousands were arrested which just made the matter worse. I wanted to be be as strong as my parents- Gayatri and Ajit Deshpande were to fight for the betterment of out community. Thus, like the other 250,000 mill workers I believed that we could make a difference, make our lives change for the better but what was I was oblivious to was that it was my duty as a father and husband was to prioritize my family over the community. So we packed up our bags and moved out of the mills never looking back
This journal entry aims to bring out the historical context of the story behind the fall of the Phoenix Mills; a bustling industrial precinct in the heart of Mumbai to its audience, inhabitants of the city who may be interested in the city’s history. It is an interesting read stylized as a journal entry with the purpose of informing the reader about the hidden history behind Phoenix Mills. This first person reflective entry brings out the gravity of the situation in the mills through its serious tone and formal language.
Entry #1-
Gayatri Deshpande, a worker in the reeling department in the Bitia Mills(Phoenix Mills)i the monsoon of 1939
It has been a difficult time of us. After the mill management increased workload …show more content…
While going around the neighboring ‘chawls’ doing the routine collection for money and food for the striking workers, I heard the strangest news. S.A. Dange, our communist leader, had invited Subhash babuto the Mills today to support us mills hands. By late afternoon, thousands of us had gathered in front of the mill. In the paddy field we stood, a sea of black umbrella’s as far as the eye could see was serving as a shield against the typical monsoon rains of India. ‘Then Dange said, “Subhash-babu wants to see all of you, but all he can see is umbrellas.” In a moment all the umbrellas closed, and the workers stood in the rain. Subhash-babu was taken …show more content…
Unable to bear this catastrophe, the management called the police because of which thousands were arrested which just made the matter worse. I wanted to be be as strong as my parents- Gayatri and Ajit Deshpande were to fight for the betterment of out community. Thus, like the other 250,000 mill workers I believed that we could make a difference, make our lives change for the better but what was I was oblivious to was that it was my duty as a father and husband was to prioritize my family over the community. So we packed up our bags and moved out of the mills never looking back