The death of Sarala’s husband at the age of 35 landed her in isolation by her in-laws. Her in-laws distanced from her and two children – a girl and a boy – mainly however due to her hand-stock. She managed to build a small house as joint life with in-laws will be explosive. To multiply her woes, daughter meanwhile attained marriage age. She knocked the doors of few relatives for financial help by way of long term loan. Some acted positively and some negatively to her request. With the help from multi-sources the daughter is married away and she is a much relieved mother now. 

A widow with three adolescent children pulled the days with much difficulty as the family sustained by the income of a daily wage earning son. Failure of the daughter in 9th standard put a full stop to her study. She opted to learn gold ornament making under a jewellery job contractor. Initially for few months she got only marginal wage. After a year she started earning handsome wage. The family is now in great relief she can earn a good part of sum needed for her marriage. The dowry is a curse in Kerala and no escape from it is seen in near future.

Janaki, around 55, engaged in law-suits against her husband Madhavan following routine bash by him and harassment by his sons from first wife since died. She heaved sigh when the court declared to vacate him the house built by him on her land. She has already deserted from him and is working as a house-maid. The sons too have deserted from him. The court verdict has gladdened Janaki with whom the villagers sympathize and stand-by while Madhavan is in high and dry as he has no place to go.  

Sreedharan, past 55, is a light vehicle driver by profession. He could not stick to anywhere in job as he is like a wet cloth. His son, aged around 25, too is trackless following a mental stroke when he slipped into a deep pond during bath in a rivulet. He laid his hands on more than 5 types of jobs but left after few months from every place. Fortunately, Sreedharan’s in-laws bore the total expense for marrying away his two daughters. But, fate is s till daunting the family.

Basheer, around 45, with only primary education sweated in Gulf for more than 15 years. He could not make any savings as his salary was in bottom level. This time on leave he decided to anchor in the village. For about a month, he idled away. During this time he was closely watching how others of his ilk earn for the family. Finally, he decided to put himself on agriculture labour work. The shortage of agriculture labourers enabled him to get work daily. Rupees three hundred earning a day is more than what he earned in Gulf. On turn back, he repents he did not avail the opportunity available in he village long back. 

Sukumaran received rupees ten thousand from a Gulf employed lad who was on leave in the village on assurance the amount will be repaid well before he departs to Gulf. Three or four reminders fell on deaf ears. On the day of his departure he told Sukumaran to entrust the amount to his mother without further delay. Sukumaran heaved sigh when the lad left. After six/seven months his brother reminded Sumkumaran of the amount. The reply was quick, “how many times I should pay back, I have already entrusted the amount to your mother months back.” It was a green lie. Just few days back when the amount was asked Sukumaran threatened the lad’s brother to come out in the road if he has guts. The threat was to beat him up. Sukumaran is a habitual cheat, a fact known to all villagers. Knowingly they got into trap.