Sweet Success!

A man’s breath passed quickly from his lungs as he struggled with severe TB. He awaited some hope of aid, of rescue; he waited for someone to advocate on his behalf. His one request to perish in freedom was denied flippantly, with indifference by the owner who fully intended to dispose of his body upon death and carry over the debt upon his hard working seventeen –year old son. The owner did not merely overlook his condition, but was unmoved by the very life he was stealing from another. The impending death and horrible act of injustice created the need for someone to do something quick to save a life.
The facility was located amongst as many as 300 other rice mills in the district. The Owner’s association in this area was sophisticated and each member was well networked. Conducting an operation in this area would prove to be difficult and quite possibly end in an angry and violent mob.
It was always impossible to ensure that there would be no leaked information, but the situation we would soon face only became more complex. Arriving promptly at the designated meeting time of 0900, the RDO scurried about avoiding the team at all costs. He directed us to simply leave the report, which he promised to follow up on later, but the team refused to relent. Finally, with the help of his PA, he sat down to meet with the team at 1100.
From there, the team was sent from place to place attempting to pin down the needed government officials and police officers. This proved harder than initially anticipated as after hours of searching, the team was forced to drive back to Chennai to get the only Tahsildar available that day. Finally, with 9 police officers, a Revenue Inspector, and a Tahsildar, we were on route to the facility.
At this point it was close to 1600 and two main concerns weighed heavy on the minds of the team. First of all, information that had the potential to be leaked in mere seconds had been floating around for seven hours. Secondly, positioned at the end of dead end upon dead end, the location of this facility made it impossible for escape if danger did descend. We would be cornered. Prayers were fervently pouring off our lips and as we turned down the dirt road I whispered to Jesus, “Is this possible? There is absolutely no humanly, earthly way possible that these owners and the Owner’s association has not received a tip-off by now. Only you can deafen the ears of evil and silence the mouth of liars. There is nothing we can do, it is purely by your grace and we must trust you…we are utterly dependent.”
When we entered, the victims dropped what they were doing and came boldly towards the front of the mill. The children seemed to be filled with excitement, almost as if they had been awaiting this very day. Hoping for a picture of truth and reality, the Tahsildar questioned each family. He was moved by the tears of the families and by the elderly man suffering in the final stages of TB that had been refused the opportunity to die in freedom. Suddenly, the families were dashing off in different directions to gather their meager belongings and within 25 minutes, we exited the facility.
Once back at the RDO’s office, four enquiry stations were set up, and all the government officials aside from the RDO were convinced that this was, in fact, a case of bonded labor. Advocated for and protected by both the team and other concerned government officials, the release certificates were signed and the RDO was forced to change his attitude. The release certificates and initial rehabilitation money were handed out, along with a milk sweet from the RDO. The latter item was handed out in hopes of making up for his previous poor behavior. Finally, the RDO exited his room and went before the man with TB. He offered him the proof of his release and acknowledged his freedom to pursue medical attention.
Thirteen Release Certificates in all were secured for the victims in the rice mill. To the newly released laborers this was not just a laminated document, as it might be viewed by an onlooker. This meant the ability to eat wherever desired, to choose work, to go to the doctor when necessary, and to live without the constant fear of abuse and emotional berating. This meant freedom.