"SILENT HANDS, STRONG NATION" 💪

This morning, as I sat with my cup of milk and the newspaper in hand, I stumbled upon a powerful article by Sweta Gupta titled “The Hands That Build Our Nation: Honouring May Day.” It felt different not just a ritualistic nod to May 1st, but a deeply thoughtful piece that brought history, struggle, and gratitude into clear focus. The article took me back to 1886, Chicago, when thousands of workers demanded the right to an eight-hour workday. That protest  the Haymarket Affair became the spark that lit a global fire for labour rights. It made me pause and think: how many of our rights today were once radical demands? How many were earned through courage and sacrifice?

The article then zoomed into India’s own labour movement, a part of our history I hadn’t really explored before. On May 1, 1923, in Madras (now Chennai), freedom fighter and lawyer Malayapuram Singaravelar organised India's first May Day celebrations. His bold voice advocated for the working class, and he founded the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan to uplift those who had long been ignored. During British rule, Indian labourers in plantations, factories, railways, and mines worked under punishing conditions long hours, no benefits, and almost no rights. Yet, with every stone laid, every rail track installed, and every building erected, they shaped the foundation of the India we live in today. Their sweat and strength gave birth to our progress.

Sweta’s article offered a beautiful tribute to these invisible hands the unsung heroes of our nation. From iconic projects like the Bhakra Nangal Dam to the Delhi Metro, the work of labourers is etched into India’s landscape. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, it was our migrant workers who, despite personal hardship, ensured that essential services continued. Their resilience, sacrifice, and quiet heroism stood tall in one of the nation’s darkest hours. Reading about them filled me with deep respect and a certain sadness  because they deserve more than just admiration. They deserve our voice, our support, and our recognition in everyday life.

The article also reflected on how far we've come  through landmark laws like the Factories Act, Minimum Wages Act, and MGNREGA, millions have found protection and employment. But with the rise of gig workers, freelancers, and delivery staff, new challenges have emerged. These individuals form the backbone of our economy now, yet are often excluded from traditional protections. Sweta’s piece reminded me that true celebration of May Day doesn’t end with remembering the past  it means acting in the present. It means creating a system that values every kind of work and every kind of worker. Appreciation must be backed by advocacy.

Since reading the article, my perspective has changed. I see the people around me with new eyes  the domestic worker who greets us with a shy smile, the street cleaner who moves quietly before sunrise, the construction worker balancing bricks under the hot sun. Their work may often go unnoticed, but it is never unimportant. Today, I carry a deeper appreciation for them for their strength, their dignity, and their role in shaping not just cities, but lives. This May Day, I want to say thank you not out of sympathy, but out of genuine, heartfelt respect. The hands that build our nation are not nameless or faceless. They are the heart of India, and they deserve to be seen, valued, and celebrated every single day.