Rasulpur: At a time when most youths run away from their traditional trades, 33-year-old N Devanand, locally known as Deva, still swears by his family business – mending shoes – at Brahmabarada area under Rasulpur block in Jajpur district.
His ‘shop’ means a polythene sheet spread out on the ground, some wax boxes, some brushes and the whole caboodle of things in a bag. Though it is a misnomer to be called a shop, it is everything for Deva, who can always be seen at work.
His father N Tata Rao came from Berhampur town and settled down at Brahmabarada, recalls Dev. His father had earned a name as a good and honest cobbler in the locality. It was when Deva was pursuing his +2 at Brahmabarada College after his schooling at Hajirhimian High School. When his father died an untimely death, the entire burden of the family fell on Dev’s shoulders as being the eldest son. He had to leave his education midway.
To support his family financially, Dev went out of the state as a migrant labourer. But what he earned was not enough.
He returned to his village and decided to continue the business where his father had left. And, when he started, his father’s reputation helped him getting customers. Slowly, his earnings started picking up.
Now, he has been into this business for ten years. Over the years, his amiable manners and honesty have earned him a good number of customers not only from Brahmabarada but also from nearby panchayats like Maheswarpur, Mangarajpur, Bandhadiha, Jhalpada and Deoda.
“I always have work. They keep me working even for 10 hours to get their footwear repaired on time. I never compromise on quality; I have some good numbers of loyal customers. Every month my income ranges from Rs 25, 000 to 30, 000,” admits Deva.
He wants to be an entrepreneur if he could get a loan without interest. He likes to set up a small tannery to manufacture shoes, procuring raw materials from other states. He also expresses his desire to engage his two brothers who are working in other states.
Local residents, including social activist Mantu Das, observed that Deva is an example for others who shun their family businesses. “If they put their hearts out and take up their traditional businesses, they need not roam around asking for jobs.”
PNN