I've been here for over a week now. Still getting atuned to my first job. Never imagined a newspaper office could be so dead, but with just the four of us, I don't expect much racket either. But some life? Nah!
The auto I took home yesterday made me think of a story. The old driver (allen) claimed his was the first auto to be driven in Mangalore,...way back in 1957.
Yes, apparently, autos existed even then. Altho they looked different I suppose. I went to his modest home, met his wife, and his daughters. They offered me home made fish curry and boiled rice. Salivating, I declined the offer. "I'll be back for that some other day," I said.
Allen began telling me his story of over four decades. He is 73 now and still driving an auto. Why? "I need the money. Besides, this is the only thing I know and I like doing."
Does he earn enough? "Enough to sustain my small home. But i dont need anything more." I later got to know that whenever allen earns a little more, he donates it to his church. He even runs a small aloe vera business. Grows it in his backyard and supplies it for free to those who have minor skin irritations. He says aloe vera is a very health herb. "cures like magic.."
It's time for me to leave. He offers to drop me off, I choose to get dropped nearby. "Bless you, my child" ...that was not just for me; that's how he drops off every passenger of his! Such a far cry from the usual metre haggling.
Phew, looks like life in mangalore is going to teach me more than I expected.
