Metamorphosis
A vendor, a city, and an unexpected change !
During my journey of Haradhara, I got to meet different kinds of people… good, bad, honest, scammers, passionate, and what not. But during my recent visit to Lucknow, which happens to be my hometown too, something unforgettable happened.
Out of many vendors, this is about one in particular. Let’s name him PL for the sake of anonymity. I have been associated with him for the past 15 years. He had an amazing collection—beautiful, fine embroidery on semi/pure georgettes, kota, mulmul, Chanderi, and what not. How I remembered him mostly was because of the tight grip he used to hold on his staff… spying on them through dozens of cameras, not letting them talk to each other much or sit for long. Dressed in clothes—what to say—a short-sleeved vest with holes and a pyjama… never spared a rupee (still doesn’t). Same attitude for years whenever I visited his shop during my Lucknow visits.I was sometimes offered tea when he felt kind. Once I asked him to get me a lassi instead as it was quite hot. I still remember his expressions as it meant spending 20 bucks more.
Fast forward to December 2021. I had to attend a wedding there amid some COVID restrictions and happened to visit him again. COVID had struck his business evidently in a big way. Not much of the cream stuff—mostly regular, not-so-appealing work, old stock. AND I sensed some change in him. He had softened a bit… a little gentler towards staff… not rationing the tea and refreshments anymore… not scolding them like earlier… not that harsh voice. I thought maybe the low in business brought some temporary change in him.
Again, fast forward to four more years. I was launching Haradhara and needed to meet him to execute some ideas. When I entered the shop which is a huge house built long, long time back, I noticed one woman frying mathri and namakpaare (fried snacks) but didn’t think much of it.
Scene inside… (He has a big wooden counter where he sits and displays clothes and all.) Three children (10–12 years) studying there on one side of the counter, one young girl studying Tally on a laptop on the other side, another girl learning Photoshop. PL speaking kindly to one of the staff. Quite a different scene.
He offered me a seat, and after general pleasantries, I was offered tea with the snacks which were being prepared outside. And not just me, but all the 30+ staff and a couple of clients on all the floors—and of course to everyone who was studying there.
So in my remaining visits, the story unfolded. He is sponsoring all those children/girls whom I saw studying there and was trying to empower girl children—buying two-wheelers for them, sponsoring their education or professional courses, funding their weddings. Also feeding all the 30+ staff at the store during the day (tehri, an Indian rice dish with vegetables, a frequent meal). Fried snacks being prepared on most days to be served with tea to the staff as well as clients. He is a regular contributor to Gaushalas as well. In short, he was a philanthropist.
These work visits are quite arduous most days… leaving in the morning around 10 am and coming back by 9:30/10 pm. Shops usually open around 11/11:30 am, but traffic is too dense in and around the area. Scouting around the shops, getting the fabrics printed, choosing yarns, and again giving them to the artisan for embroidery eats up the whole day—quite draining too. Not much break to go to a food joint for lunch, so I usually pack some snacks for the day.
What he did on the last day was really heartwarming. As I was leaving that night for Bangalore, I had to discuss and finish all pending orders. He knew I was coming there, so he got a whole lunch meal packed or me from his home. Despite me telling him that I had brunch at my friend’s place, he insisted strongly. So I reluctantly gave in.
It was stuffed Karela, Dal, 2 Chapatis, fresh papaya cubes, Raita, and Achar. Food was simple but so fresh and flavourful. I was kind of emotional, eating that lovely food made with love. This kind gesture from him and his wife was something which wasn’t needed, but it will always remain sweetly in my memory.
He still never gives a ₹50 discount. He still scolds his staff many times. But I can sense in them a newly developed vibe of respect and love for him, as he is the one who looks after them like a parent too. He, who was kind of oppressive earlier, was helping them grow and achieve more than what they could earlier.
COVID impacted almost all of us in some way or the other, but it truly brought some good change in many people…
PS: Attaching a picture of a letter he convinced a small boy to write.
