Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

I-Day treat from cobbler

K.N. Murali Sankar

NATIONAL SERVICE: Cobbler Samuel's free service offer moved many people in Vijayawada on Tuesday. — PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

VIJAYAWADA: A board in front of cobbler Talluri Samuel's makeshift shop adjacent to the Sub-Collector's office in Vijayawada read: "60th Independence Day offer! All services are free. Money will not be accepted from any customer." Samuel also decorated his workplace with national flags on Tuesday, catching everyone's attention.

V. Srinivasa Rao, an employee of a chit fund company, routinely parked his bicycle in front of Samuel's shop to get one of his chappals repaired. Samuel's offer surprised him, as it did many others who slowly began to visit the shop. The 29-year-old physically challenged cobbler struck upon this idea while he was contemplating something unique to mark Independence Day. He has been announcing the offer for the past two days.

Rao, who noticed the board only after getting his footwear repaired, was moved by the offer. He refused to give his second chappal for repair, telling Samuel that he would come some other day. "He is doing a good service. But my inner sense did not allow me to use it," Rao said. Samuel greeted Rao with a candy before the latter left.

Many others who came to Samuel's shop were equally surprised, while some of them wondered why the cobbler was foregoing his day's meagre earnings. "I do not know why he is refusing to accept money. But I'm sure it is a rare offer," said K. Sitaramanjaneyulu, a resident of Royyuru in Totlavalluru mandal.

G. Sarada of Ranigarithota thought that she should help Samuel in some way or the other. "I will perhaps buy some material for him, like a gum bottle or some stitching yarn, which will be of use to him," she said.

Samuel convinced many customers who were reluctant to use his free service. "This is my contribution to the celebration of Independence Day. Many people welcomed it, but some did refuse to accept my free service," said Samuel, who repaired about 40 chappals with the help of his elder brother Krupa Rao.

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