Her work is unimaginably challenging. Rajeshwari handles everything the city discards, plastic waste, soggy paper, and even the painful reality of animals that pass away and are wrapped in bags and thrown away. With gloves, masks, and the few tools provided, she cleans, segregates, and disposes of waste with a calm bravery that most people never witness. Rainy days make her work even harder, with drains clogged by small plastic covers that block entire systems. She reminds us that while plastic can be recycled, our careless disposal habits turn it into a burden someone like her must clean up, every single day.

At DPurpose Foundation, it was an honour beyond words to bring Rajeshwari as our Chief Guest for the Waste2Purpose event. In a hall filled with government officials, industry leaders, and dignitaries, she stood as the real face of our city’s sanitation system, a woman whose courage quietly keeps Chennai running. We wanted her voice at the centre, and to give her the dignity she deserves, we welcomed her with a bouquet and brought her to the venue in an Audi, a small gesture for someone who carries far heavier burdens for all of us. We gifted her a saree, groceries, and a momento, but the most meaningful moment was seeing her pride as she shared how her work helped her educate both her daughters and earn deep respect in her community. Honouring her wasn’t just recognition, it was long-overdue justice for someone who has served the city with unwavering strength.