Coconut-Profit Not.

Puri the land of Puja ,Panda and Poda Pitha. This place is also famous for Lord Jagannath. Puri itself is one from the four abodes (Char Dham).Puri receives many people through out the globe . The beaches here in Puri are clean and few times it has taken lives. This  city attracts people not only from India but also from abroad.

Every village in Puri have a direct connection with Lord Jagannath. Many people think coming to Puri helps in getting Salvation ( Moksha ). Every part of Puri has some stories that links with the Lord.

Though Puri helps in the way of salvation but still it has struggling stories of people.. Today I have a story different from Lord Jagannath and the Grand things that happen in PURI .

Today I have Mr. Rabindra Behera from BirPurushottampur village of Puri District. This village comes near Sakhigopala which is around 45 kms from Bhubaneswar on the way to Puri. Mr. Behera is 32 years old and he earns his bread and butter by selling tender coconut on a road side shop. He has a family of 6 to look after. His father was a farmer and due to the non profitability he quit farming.

Sakhigopal region is famous for coconut production. The tender coconut shops on Puri road has boomed from the last few years. The main reason is less export to the other states. There is a number of shops but the profit is very negligible says Mr.Behera. This is a seasonal business and it had a great profit when there were lesser shops.The profit is more during summer as compared to the other months of the year.

A coconut field can be seen in the above image

Due to the poor financial condition of the family Mr. Behera didn't went to school after standard 5.He always have been a great support to his father in his paddy field and the daily earnings.  As he was jobless, thought to start a business rather working in a paddy field.He thought of selling tender coconut on the road as he was getting the materials easily and it had a very less investment. In the starting days it had a good profit as there were very less number of shops. Now the profit is less and  it induces him to start something new again.

He works throughout the day for a monthly earning of 7k to 10k. He has an aim to provide proper education to his children as education can change their lives. Because of today's costly education system he doubts on himself but still hopeful of a better future. 

Though his father is not keeping well now a days but he has been a great support to his business. His mother and wife are looking after the family. In his words both the males are working like Finance Minister whereas the Females are working as Home Minister .

He has a great knowledge about his products with a great selling power. During my ten minutes stay at his shop never missed his smiling face. Apart from selling Coconuts he helps passengers by showing the way to nearby villages. I must say he works as a local Google Map.

Our conversation ended after paying his efforts. We asked him about few visiting places near Puri. Started our journey. We wish the family all the good luck for their future.

Jay Jagannath

   

Shibashish Mahapatra