CANACONA: Back in the era when bicycles ruled the roads of Canacona, trust between businessmen and customers was unshakable. Soida Haidar, a seasoned entrepreneur on the verge of celebrating his diamond jubilee, dared to pedal down the path carved by his father, becoming a symbol of unwavering trust in the community. After more than five decades of renting and repairing cycles, Haidar has now embarked on a new venture of selling plastic items, adapting to the changing business landscape.
Haidar’s journey traces back to the humble beginnings of his father, Soida Jamal, who plied his trade as a skilled tailor. As a 10-year-old boy, Haidar and his elder brother Rehman would assist their father in cutting and stitching fabrics. Intrigued by the opportunities presented by the bicycle rental business, Jamal decided to take a leap of faith, and Haidar followed suit. While assisting his father, Haidar not only honed his repair skills but also acquired the art of cycle maintenance through self-guided learning.
Reflecting on the golden days in Canacona, Haidar fondly reminisces, "We resided in the close-knit community of Kolamb near the mosque, and to this day, it remains our home. Our family consisted of nine siblings—seven brothers and two sisters.
To make ends meet, our father tirelessly stitchedclothes, while I ventured into cycle repairs and rentals due to our financial circumstances.
At that time, we owned around 25 cycles, which we rented out to acquaintances since formal ID cards were not in use. The cycles were rented on an hourly basis. People displayed remarkable honesty, promptly returning the cycles and settling the rent. The era was truly different from today's fastpaced world,” asserts Haidar.
Now 74 years old, he reflects upon his remarkable journey, “I dedicated five decades to repairing cycles. Although I did not actively participate in Goa's freedom movement, I observed it closely.
Some of my brothers found their homes abroad, but I find contentment right here in my village. With my daughter happily married, my wife and I lead a fulfilling life. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of engaging in conversations on various topics with numerous Canconkars who sought my assistance with their cycles.
Today, the face of Canacona has transformed due to tourism, and the taluka is vastly different from what it was half a century ago. Times have indeed changed,” says a wistful Haidar.