I am…R. Manikandan, belt seller

October 01, 2014 05:11 pm | Updated May 23, 2016 05:33 pm IST - MADURAI:

R. Manikandan, belt seller

R. Manikandan, belt seller

I sell all kinds of belts made of Italian leather to ordinary hard rubber, for men and kids. I do not have a shop. I use a stand to display the belts and can easily lift and shift it to any place. But for over a decade now, I have been doing business from this same spot on the busy Town Hall Road.

I was born and brought up in Thideer Nagar. I am married and reside in Jaihindpuram now. My wife works in a mobile shop just behind my place where I sell. I have two daughters, studying in class IX and IV. I earn Rs.500 a day and it is enough to take care of my family.

I came here to work as a daily wager but now I have my own small business. I enjoy a good customer base. There are several people like me on this road yet people come to me in appreciation of my service. In fact, I have a customer who for the past five years has been buying belts from me regularly.

My customers like only the low end varieties. I find a change in the pattern of buying belts among the people. Earlier, customers were very particular about the quality of material but now they are more interested in the fancy buckles, especially the youths. I have a good collection of ornamental buckles. I buy my stock from wholesale vendors in Katrapalayam.

My day starts at eight in the morning and ends by nine in the night. I am not ambitious and am happy to lead a contented life.

(A fortnightly column on men and women who make Madurai what it is)

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