Garbage collectors of Telangana: Picking up the pieces of life in absence of safeguards

“HEY, Chettammayi (garbage girl)”, a watchman of an ultra-luxurious housing society calls out as 37-year-old Salamma emerges from her van.

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Those familiar with nuances of Telugu would instantly recognise the derogatory nature of the term. Undeterred, yet bristling with anger, she declares, “I do have a name,” before shouldering another heavy bag of garbage.

For over 25 years, this widowed mother of five has been collecting garbage in the Uppal area of Hyderabad, but only a few know her by name. At dawn, when the city is still sleeping, Salamma starts her day. The only protective equipment she has is a tattered shirt worn over her saree, which is severely inadequate in safeguarding her or the thousands of women involved in garbage collection from the health hazards involved in their line of work.