Remembering Champabai, the invisible domestic helper who raised family

Champabai was a woman who helped take care of a family's children for 18 years.

She worked for a writer named Aparna Piramal Raje.

She helped raise Aparna's two sons, Amartya and Agastya.

Champabai was like a beloved grandmother to the boys.

She cooked, cleaned, bathed, sung, and comforted the children.

Sadly, Champabai died suddenly while she was buying groceries in her hometown, Howrah.

Aparna was very sad and wondered how to honour someone whose work was so important but often invisible.

Many people who help families in this way are not remembered with big ceremonies.

Aparna shared photographs and letters about Champabai with friends and family to collect their memories of her.

She hopes that the everyday work of caregivers will be remembered and cherished.