VOICED: Mumbai's washermen fear rise of the machines

The video explores the century-old Kobe Cart, known as the world's largest laundry, where workers like Prem have been washing clothes for generations. Despite the backbreaking work, they earn only $7 a day. However, technological advancements and India's growing economy threaten this traditional livelihood, as machines become more affordable. The community fears displacement and loss of income, with modernization posing a significant threat to their existence. Prem, whose family has been part of this tradition for decades, acknowledges the inevitability of progress but worries about the future.

What is the Kobe Cart famously known as?

• A historical monument

• The oldest market in India

• The world's largest laundry

• A famous tourist attraction

How does modernization threaten the Kobe Cart?

• By causing environmental pollution

• By increasing the cost of living

• By introducing machines that replace manual labor

• By reducing the demand for laundry services

What is a major concern for the workers at the Kobe Cart?

• The decrease in the number of customers

• The threat of losing their jobs due to modernization

• The lack of modern equipment

• The increase in working hours

What is the historical significance of the Kobe Cart for families like Prem's?

• It is a hub for technological innovation

• It is a place where they have worked for generations

• It is a site of cultural festivals

• It is a location for educational institutions

What is the main fear of the workers regarding the future of the Kobe Cart?

• That it will be closed for renovations

• That it will be turned into a museum

• That it will be replaced by a modern building

• That it will become a tourist spot