The Other Type of Goan “Come closer… I need to tell you something important!!!” Saalu spoke in his usual crass Sashti Konkani (a form of Konkani spoken commonly in the Salcete taluka of South Goa). I leaned in to hear this great secret… “Do you know how I have survived in this business for more than 20 years? Two reasons: the hand of God, and… the second and most important one – I never gave up…” Having seen Salvador Fernandes a.k.a. Saalu as the only go-to guy since he began his store more than 20 years ago. I was a spritely kid and I remember the crowd that thronged his place like a pilgrimage. He had the only store in a radius of 500 metres. He was proud of it and has never backed down from whatever obstacle he has had to face. He defies the common misconception of the Catholic Goan, that of being sussegad or easy going. He opens his store at ten in the morning and closes it at ten in the night. Although the present store has a stationery shop, it once housed a tailoring shop. Yes, a man of many talents, Saalu is a tailor as well. However, the store demanded his undivided attention and hence he had to close the tailoring shop and convert it into photocopying and stationery shop. He even tried opening another store in a different location which did not pan out as he expected. Life has not been all “ha ha hee hee”. “I had a terrible accident in 2009, as a result of which I was bedridden and incapacitated for almost the entire year. It has been a slow recovery for me.” The limp serves as a reminder to him of his own mortality and has been the force behind his renewed vigour. Being a good Goan Catholic, he never hesitates to do his bit for the community and his church. He is a diligent and religious man and believes in the hand of God that is constantly guiding him on his existential journey. “There is a certain philosophy involved in running a store. People accuse me of being a micromanager. I do not deny that. Trust and integrity are important virtues. I had helpers working in the store but I felt that it only added to my stress and tension. Whenever I need extra help I ask my daughters to come over and help out. They are busy but they proudly don the store keeper’s apron when the need arises…” His philosophy is the maxim of almost every major religion: treat others as you would have them treat you. This simple tenet acts as the blinders he needs as he navigates life. He adores his daughters and hopes that they would see the shop through, although like every father he worries for them. He does worry about the future like any normal human being. But in spite of the odds, he keeps grinding on. He pushes his boundaries and day by day proves himself a local legend. That is what makes him the other type of Goan… https://youtube/watch?v=rjLneMKJYP4
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 18:50:53 +0000
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