The Bihari Uncle In Jharsuguda

It was a hot October and the small town in Odisha ie. Jharsuguda got many name as The Aluminium City,the Power House of Odisha,The Thermal City etc. While I was going I found an old man selling Sugarcane juice near Beheramal Railway Crossing. I stopped and thought to have a glass of Ganne Ka Juice (Sugarcane Juice).As it is seen in the picture he was standing under the tree with a rickshaw having all his instruments.

He is Mr. Manohar Lal Yadav aged 63 from Katihar district. He is staying in Jharsuguda from the last couple of months and chosen selling sugarcane juice. Before this he had a peaceful life with the family.He has two sons both are married.All the members were working in the paddy field that he owns.For that field both the sons fought between them and taken their own shares.Nothing left for him.

Not to be dependent he thought of going out. He misses his beautiful wife. She is all alone in the village and this feeling can be seen from his face.Now he is Struggling and fighting everyday so that in the future the old couple can enjoy.

Coming to Jharsuguda was not easy but not so difficult as most of the sugarcane juice seller in Jharsuguda are from Bihar. He came with some young people. Started staying in a small house like a bachelor. In the morning once getting up they have to cook food for breakfast and lunch and again coming from  work for the dinner.

There is not a handsome profit in this business as a glass of juice is sold at Rs 10/-.When he arrived in the Aluminium city he looked for machine that is used in this process.To his goodness he managed to get one on a rental basis that charges Rs 2000/- per month. The raw metals i.e the Sugarcane is locally available."The whole process requires a lot energy and at this age I feel very hard" he added.

When I asked for his earnings he added sometimes it is 600 to 2500 a day. It depends on the weather and the location he is standing. These people do not have any common place to keep their cart. If there is no raw materials then they have to close the shop.Above that penalty from the Municipality and they have to pay to the local Gundas.

I thought of having a glass of juice but ended up in two for having some more talk. When I asked about the business he said a line "Nobody have time for it". Then I thought yes he is correct because getting juice from sugarcane is a long process. The man has to put the sugarcane in the machine for again and again. In this busy days no one wait for a while. The sellers are struggling for selling it.

The youth can order for cold drinks from different companies and it takes few seconds.

Sharing a little experience in his cart.

This festive season lets wait for few minutes more and help these people who are really struggling. 

 They too have  families and there are many more stories................


Shibashish Mahapatra