The Handbag Challenge: Mumbai’s Working Women Open Up Their Purses

What is the handbag of a Mumbai working woman- A lot of surprises!

You have without a doubt, up until now been assaulted by a barrage of the ‘What’s in your handbag’ celebrity videos. Your unsuspecting self has been afflicted by the extraction of expensive lotions and potions, with the frequent ‘one must always keep their lips moisturised’ essential advice thrown in.

But who’s playing ‘What I CAN’T tell you about my handbag?’ I can’t tell you about the black rubberband from 9th standard which is breathing its last in the inner pocket, the four extra sanitary pads lining the bottom (because downpour days don’t come with prior warning), the dried-up petals of a genda phool someone brought back from Saraswati puja, and the remnants of dhania I had to bring back for mom because plastic packets are banned in the city.  Our handbags, just like us, are waiting to tell their stories. All they require is a little prod.