Shyama Mundale has been doing such a job since 1995 when she first chanced upon an advertisement in a local paper. Since her kids were settled and she had no encumbrances as such, she decided to give it a try. She also needed the extra cash at that point.

``This was for a job in the U.K. I was told that I would have to take care of a pair of two month old twins as both parents were professionals. Though my main job was to look after the twins (which I enjoyed thoroughly), gradually, the lady started piling on the household works on me like cooking and cleaning which I did without complaining,'' muses Shyama.

"She was very indifferent, aloof and also rather uncommunicative. Sure, I was there for work and money, but in an alien country, one also looks for some warmth and communication from the people you are staying with. This contract was for six months only and believe me, those six months were definitely not the best ones of my life. I was very home sick and felt very hurt. But I had to honour my commitments. Also, I was not paid well, I felt so cheated and let down. But since I had no written contract with them, I could not argue or press demands. ,'' says Shyama.

``After this exposure, I became much wiser. I realised that at my age and my qualifications, I would not get a job in Pune which could fetch me a fine figure salary. I had just returned from U.K. I was relaxing when I chanced upon a similar position but this time in the U.S. I applied and hit the bull's eye again. But this time I was wiser. I asked very frankly about my work, my salary and mode of payment.

My present job involves looking after two kids right from bathing, feeding, dropping to school and reading to them. I also do cooking and cleaning. I manage the whole house without being the owner or mistress. It is sheer hard work. You are on call all 24 hours of the days, seven days a week. There is also absolutely so respite from work except for occasional outings. My present employers are really caring and I am treated well and I am a part of their family now. I have been with them for the last 11 years now,'' she says.

Shyama's routine for the day starts as early as 6 a.m. ``Then I give the boys their breakfast, pack their tiffins and drop them to school. Back home, I organise lunch or dinner for the day, do the cleaning then pick up the boys from back to school, give them snacks and milk. I go out for a walk for an hour. That is the time I have for myself. Back home, its dinner time. The boys have to be bathed and put to bed and some things organised for the next day. My employers entertain a lot, so there is a constant influx of guests and also house guests. Needless to say, this means extra load of work,'' she says.

The salary which lures such women is actually a pittance for Indians settled abroad, since hiring a governess cum housekeeper from India works out cheaper for them. ``Hiring a local baby sitter, is expensive abroad. They have to be paid on an hourly basis. Plus, they get a weekly off. They are not on duty round the clock as we are. They have strict terms and conditions of work. Any extra work means extra money,'' says Shyama.

With all the pitfalls associated with the job, these women would definitely encourage others to follow their lead. ``Only don't go with stars in your eyes. Be prepared for all the hard work. If you are lucky, you will get good employers. But to be on the safe side, draw up a contract of do's and don'ts. State your terms and conditions very clearly. Once you have selected remember, you are going on a job so perform it well. Other things like travelling are the perks. So just go ahead!''