I was surprised to see Elamaran in that news mart where I usually pickup magazine for my kids. The way he ran towards me, his high decibel scream ‘ Saaaaarrrr!’ and the way he held my hands so tightly I could understand he too was very happy about this meet. To understand what we both were going through in that corridor of Jayanagar complex, you should know at least some lines of Elamaran’s past.
Elamaran - Age 21. Native - Somasippadi village near Thirvannamalai. Family: Father doesn’t have any permanent work and work for daily wage. 2 sisters and 1 brother. All of them are struggling together with the poverty to survive. Education: 7th standard discontinued. Special information: Couldn’t tolerate father’s beating and ran away from home and landed in
Bangalore for survival.
When I was enjoying the traditional tea of road side shop near Krishnagiri during one of those my long drives, I found some one was standing at a distance and looking at me. Looked like there was a war within him on whether to ask for help or to drop it. That’s how I met him. Still I remember the way he swallowed the parotas and drank those cups of Chalna. He called me once for employment and once to express thanks in the last two years. This is the first time I met him again after two years. The fear I saw in his eyes about the life, those black footprints of sleepless nights just under his eyes, low confident handshaking…are no more with him. He sported himself in branded costumes, a good watch on his wrist and he had a style today. There was a ‘ Yes.. Bosss.. I am ready for that!’ kind of look in his eyes, I couldn’t find that low confident in the way he shook hands with me. I couldn’t stop telling “Bbbbeuatifulllll’, When he said, “Saar… So many things have changed in my life saar. I stay in a good room, I wear good cloths, see I have good watch in my wrist, I have wallet for me with money. I can go to these restaurants and order Tiffin for me with out seeing the price. I got a good life style now. Though there are few strict rules here in the job, RELIANCE FRESH has given me so much things. I know from where I came, where I am now. On that day I didn’t have single paisa to satisfy my hunger and you gave me those parotas and tea. Today I came to pick up this Ananda Vikatan for Rs.15/-’. He owes his rising of standard of life to Reliance Fresh. Reliance Fresh! ? Which Reliance fresh.. yes the same one Dr.Ramadas is opposing and screaming to shut. What is Ramadas’s point: These Reliance, Spencers, Metros, Food world cut the throat of small time traders. These enterprises should be banned and shutdown so that these small time traders can live. My point: I am not here to say Ambanis are clean and good people. But I want to tell the other side of the story, which Ramadas and others didn’t want to see. All these small time traders and glossary mart annachis had enough business for all these years and took all the money for themselves. Only they got benefited. These enterprises like Reliance Fresh, Big Bazaar, Spencer’s, Food World and Metros are also earning money. But they give employment to 100s of people and 1000s of people. It lifts people’s standard of life. That removes poverty. He might have discontinued at his 8th standard, but he will educate his children. A family will be taken care. That’s the need of the hour now. 
And what you and me want? Good product, good service with a better price. Reliance gives that. It was not there with those Cheittiyars and Annachis. The story is changed now – those road side traders’ buy from Reliance Fresh for a cheaper price and sells in the street. No one looses. I still remember how I paid through my nose for my mobile bill of Rs.4/- for every incoming calls before Reliance entered into the market. Because of their entry the whole tariff went down for everybody with every service provider. Today it is happening with glossary market. Let it happen. Let people get more. There are so many Elamarans getting life with these Reliances, Big Bazaars and metros. There are still more Elamarans standing near the road side shops with a bag in the shoulders and dreams in the eyes. They need life. Today’s requirement is employment. Only employment can feed a family, can educate the children and increase the standard of life. It is available with enterprises like Reliance Fresh, Food world, Spencers and Metros. I say a Big YES to Reliance and No Ramadas!
: Paraman Pachaimuthu
: Category - Politics, Writing | www.manakkudiyan.com
Previous entries of ‘Writing’
Previous entries of Politics Category
<<- - -Back to Main Page
5 Comment(s)
No to Ramadas, YES to Reliance…