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When her elder brother told Bama that the elder man was carrying the packet in such a way that he would not touch ‘vadais’, she felt so angry and provoked that she wanted to touch those “wretched” ‘vadais’ herself straightway. Bama wondered why they should have to fetch and carry for these people.
The thought of an important elder of their bowing and bringing snacks to this fellow who just sits there and eats greedily, made Bama angry. She thought that they too were human beings. She thought that they should work in their fields, take home their wages, and leave it at that.
Bama’s elder brother, who was studying at a university, had come home for the holidays. Her elder brother told Bama that because they were born into the community of untouchables, they were never given any honour or dignity or respect. He told her that if they did study and make progress they could throw away these indignities. So he encouraged Bama to study with care and learn all she could.
He told her that if she did always ahead in her lessons people would come to her of their own accord and attach themselves to her. So her elder brother advised her to work hard and learn to the maximum extent. Her brother’s words made a very deep impression on her. She stood first in her class and many people became her friends.