PANJIM: In bygone days, one’s possessions were always dear. In the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, items were held dear, used sparingly, and repaired until they were truly unusable. Among these possessions were shoes and sandals. Hence, cobblers, umbrella repairers, and tailors were in great demand. It was during this time that Prakash Lokapure began plying his trade as a cobbler at the age of 15, with his dad Laxman. His grandfather and great-grandfather were also cobblers, in Panjim. His father’s brother, Shankar, who is now 75 years old and lives with Prakash, was also a cobbler.
Initially, when his father and grandfather started off, they plied their trade near Silver Shoes shop on the footpath, opposite hotel Deewar. Then they moved onto the footpath outside the house of businessman Shiva Naik, which later made way for the Radha Building, near the market, where the Chandu Pharmacy is located in Panjim.
Now 54, Prakash repairs ladies’ and gents’ shoes, sandals, and umbrellas along with his nephew Mohan Kenauadkar, 42, who lives in Chimbel. Mohan’s father, Namdev, was also in the trade from the Portuguese regime, opposite the old Bombay steamer jetty.
Prakash lives with his three sons and wife in Oitiyant, Taleigao. With the income earned from repairing shoes and umbrellas, he has educated his three sons, managed his household expenses, and married off his sons. “The plot of land to build the house at Oitiyant was given under Indira Awaas Yojana. So we have our own house. My two sons are married, while one is single. All three of them are working in private companies.
My married sons and their wives are staying in the same house,” Prakash discloses.
Asked whether his business has declined with the upscaling of salaries and business in Goa, and the onslaught of consumerism, where the ‘throwaway culture’ reigns supreme, Prakash says, “By God’s grace, we have enough customers. Any business works, but in this business, there is no dignity. Most of my customers are Goans. I work a 9 am to 7 pm routine. During the lunch break, my nephew Mohan Kenauadkar and myself take turns. He is not my employee but he works on a commission basis.”
Asked if there are any hassles from the Corporation of the City of Panaji, Prakash says, “No. Earlier, they used to charge us a sitting tax, but now the sopo collector does not come here. They used to charge her Rs 10 per day. But now they have stopped.”
Asked about the transition he has seen in Panjim, Prakash says the State capital is changing for the better, as is Taleigao. “Though digging is going on in Panjim, in a year’s time, it will be spic and span. Panjim has improved a lot,” says the optimistic cobbler.
Goans such as Prakash Lokapure and Mohan Kenauadkar need to be appreciated for pursuing this age-old profession and helping people to get their old shoes smiling, especially those who don’t want to throw away their favorite pair or those who cannot afford to buy new shoes. More and more Goans need to patronize these Goan cobblers who live by the sweat of their brow.
The Goa Government should also reach out to these tradesmen and ask them what help they exactly need and extend financial help to these cobblers, Prakash says. These hardworking entrepreneurs keep the wheels of the economy turning, in their own little way, and contribute to the welfare of the people.