Occupation: Trader in second-hand wood
I always carry this piece of paper with me. It reminds me of the tough time I had to face because my shop was situated in a temporary building without a TC number. As a result, I was unable to produce receipts or documents that the sales tax department expected me to have while transporting timber from one place to the other.
For years, I have been buying seasoned wood that we salvage when old buildings are demolished. But since we buy from house owners, receipts and sale deeds are rare. So, we are often at the receiving end when we get caught by sales tax officials. I had to run from pillar to post to get it solved and finally, under an amnesty declared by the then Finance Minster Thomas Issac, I was able to pay a sum as fine and put it behind me before I went for my Haj to Mecca. You should not be a debtor when you go on the Haj. Fortunately, for me, that amnesty came at the right time and I was able to complete my Haj with a clear mind. But this bit of paper goes into my wallet as a reminder of that terrible period because this is a problem that is common to many of us in this trade.
ADVERTISEMENT
Now, my shop on the Kovalam bypass has a TC number but each time my business begins to look up, I am forced to shift. Since I stay at Vallakkadavu, my shop selling used timber, doors and window frames has always been located on the side of the main road. But as the bypass came and property prices began to zoom, we have been forced to shift from place to place. This is also a rented place.
I began working after completing class seven from St. Roch’s Convent. Circumstances were such that I could not study further. I went into business as a trader and I travelled to many places in India and learnt to speak many languages too. Eventually, I came into this business.
Whenever there is a building that is demolished, there are agents who get in touch with us. We go over, assess the quality of the wood and buy it. Then it is recycled and used for making doors and window frames. I look up patterns on the net or in books, and fashion the door and window panels accordingly. Sometimes, our customers might have a design and my carpenters do that for them in my workshop. However, now we don’t get good wood from houses demolished in the city or its outskirts. Unless, it is a mansion or really old, most of the timber in the house would likely be of jack or anjaali (Ayani). Rarely do we get teak and, even more rarely, rosewood. At times, one comes across a really lovely piece of good quality wood. Good quality wood now comes from places such as Thiruvalla, Chengannur and still further north.
ADVERTISEMENT
This trade has given me enough to look after my wife, Nadira, and three children. My daughter is married while my eldest son is a microbiologist. The youngest has followed in my footsteps and become a businessman. The advantage of timber is that this does not rot or go to waste even after a year or two. So I never lose money. My carpenters recycle the wood. In a way, we are saving trees from being cut.
(A weekly column on the men and women who make Thiruvananthapuram what it is)