Modi's Mysore visit: From a fruit vendor's perspective
Fifty-year-old Ramesh, a road-side fruit vendor, is a worried man. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city has virtually upset his life. He is left with no option to sign off Year 2015 on a sour note.
Owing to security reasons the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) and police officials have asked him to vacate the place. His little stall is just half-a-kilometer away from the venue being decked up for Modi's programme on January 3.
Ramesh says he has already been told by the MCC officials to vacate immediately. He is hanging around with the hope that some miracle would happen.
"If I stop my business my four-member family will be in big trouble. I have to pay the rent and look into the small needs of my family," says Ramesh, who has been occupying the road-side space for the last two years.
Ramesh
says
his
fruit
stall
is
not
obstructing
the
footpath,
since
he
has
set
up
the
stall
on
the
excess
land.
His
stall
is
situated
on
the
University
Road,
next
to
the
famous
Kukkarahalli
Lake
-
popular
among
joggers
and
walkers.
I am worried about my family now
A Modi fan, Ramesh says he always voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But his worry now is not whether his love for BJP or Modi will diminish.
"I was a security guard at a private firm two years back. I got into this job to ensure that my children (both sons) have a better future. I earn Rs 500 every day after all expenses," he adds.
Ramesh's
list
of
regular
customers
varies
from
sports
stars,
business
men,
top
professors
and
students.
"We
love
the
way
he
cuts
the
fruits
and
serves
it.
It
is
so
hygienic
and
this
place
has
become
part
of
our
life.
It's
sad
that
he
is
finding
no
support," says
Raghu
M,
a
second
year
PUC
student.
A
badminton
player
now
practicing
for
the
state-ranking
tournament,
Raghu
says
Ramesh
has
never
missed
to
turn
up
even
for
a
single
day.
His
friend,
Bhargav,
a
9th
standard
student,
says
Ramesh
is
not
a
greedy
vendor.
"He
knows
all
of
us
by
name
and
is
like
a
brother
to
us.
Hope
he
will
come
back
to
the
same
spot
soon,"
says
Bhargav.
I am not with angry with Modi, police
Ramesh says he gets the fruits from the famous Devaraja Market in Mysuru. "I am left with no option but to return the fruits now. Some of my regular customers have promised to help me as well," he says.
When asked whether he was angry with the PM, police or MCC, Ramhesh said: "What will I get with anger? My worry is my family and their well being."
MCC Commissioner C G Betsurmath told OneIndia on Wednesday that they are undertaking the drive due to security measures.
"There
are
rules
and
regulations
for
street
and
footpath
vendors.
Some
put
up
permanent
structures
and
some
temporary.
The
current
drive
is
as
the
per
the
police
(SPG)
guidelines.
These
are
mandatory
rules," he
says.
Ramesh's
honey-topped
fruit
salad
will
be
missed
by
many!