Why is Collector Madam Not Wearing Makeup?
Malappuram District Collector Ms. Rani Soyamoi interacted with college students, wearing no jewelry other than a wristwatch. What surprised most of the students was that she did not even use face powder. Her brief but determined speech was followed by a Q&A session where she shared a deeply personal story in response to a student’s question.
The Question and the Story
Q: What’s your name?
A: My name is Rani, Soyamoi is my family name. I am a native of Jharkhand. Anything else to ask?
A slender girl stood up and asked, “Madame, why don’t you use any makeup?”
The collector’s face suddenly turned pale. Sweat broke out on her thin forehead. She opened her water bottle, drank a little, and then gestured for the student to sit. She began to speak slowly, recounting her life story.
A Life of Hardships
Rani was born in a tribal area of Jharkhand, in a district full of mica mines. Her parents, who were miners, fell ill due to inhaling deadly mica dust, and her brothers died from the illness. At the age of five, Rani started working in the mines, crawling through tiny caves to collect mica ores. Her life was a constant struggle for survival amidst hunger, disease, and dangerous working conditions.
A year later, her sister also started working in the mine. The family could live without hunger for a while, but a mine collapse took the lives of her parents and sister when she was only six years old. Rani was eventually educated at a government facility and became the Collector.
The Connection to Makeup
Rani explained that mica, the mineral she collected as a child, is used in makeup products. The brightest color in many big cosmetic companies’ products comes from the mica mined by 20,000 young children who risk their lives. The softness of the rose on your cheeks is spread with their shattered dreams and crushed lives.
A Question of Conscience
She concluded by asking, “Now you tell me. How do I apply makeup on my face? How can I eat on a full stomach in memory of my brothers who died of starvation? How can I wear expensive silk dresses in the memory of my mother who never even dreamed of torn clothes?”
The audience stood up unknowingly as Rani walked away, her head held high, with a small smile on her lips and tears in her eyes.
The Legacy
Many years later, that lady collector became the first citizen of the Republic of India, her excellency Draupadi Marmu, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA.