After the Situational
Analysis, I was transecting a village when I came
across some
youths and a man holding a
conversation. The man was telling them that he can
earn any amount of money but
does not beg for loans. The conversation heated up
and the youths started booing
him. In a fit of rage he started singing aloud some
kollatam
songs and dancing. During this
episode he was carrying an iron-box with
implements over his head, and
blank keys hanging on his shoulder. When the
argument finished, I found the
man in a small hotel run by an old lady, selling few
eatables, cigarettes, and
country liquor.
The man’s name was
Nutharaganti Ramulu, His family migrated about 10
years
previously to Vulpara Village,
Onguru Mandal. He belongs to the Pusalolu
caste,
which is traditionally a
skilled caste. They repair items like locks,
umbrellas, torches,
bulb holders, tin boxes,
suitcases, etc. and sell beauty items for ladies and
spices.
He stays in a major town for 2
to 3 months, usually in unfinished houses under
construction by the Government
for the poor or at the Mosque / Temple, etc. He,
along with his daughter and
his two sons and their families, are presently
residing at
Tadoor village, a Mandal
headquarter. They provide their services in all the
villages
within a 10 to 15 km radius.
All these distances are covered on foot.
Out of his 9 children, only 2
sons and a daughter are surviving. His sons are
living
independently with their
families but he is supporting his 15-year old
daughter. She
supplements their daily income
(Rs. 50 to Rs. 60) by selling ladies’ wigs.
Regarding his daughter’s
marriage he said that a man recently approached him,
a
divorcee previously married
three times who had left all his wives. The suitor
demanded a dowry of Rs.
30,000. Knowing about his character, he declined the
proposal. He said that he is
only able give a dowry of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000.
All
his tools and instruments are
valued at Rs. 400 only. His average monthly earnings
are Rs. 1,500, he does not
have any immovable property such as land and house.
This is an example of
