Mangalore, Jan 22: 'Mangli', the name might ring a bell among many Aloysians as the very mention might remind them of the frothy sugarcane juice and the lovely pani-puri they used to gobble up as students of St Aloysius School or College after a hectic day inside the campus.
He was a familiar name to the students in the Light House Hill Road, where he had set up his make shift juice shop in that hill top which used to be a deserted terrain in the 50’s and 60’s except for the movement of students of the school and college. For the students he was not just another vendor who sold juice and chaats merely for money. Many still recall that he was a friend, guide, inspirer, peacemaker and the one who steered many a youngster on the right path in his own indomitable way, when they tread on the wrong trail.
Students who had benefitted from his friendly advice and guidance remembered the sugarcane vendor a few years back by felicitating him along with the then Headmaster of the School Fr Louis, an act which has struck a chord with the man, now old but still active. Despite seeing 70 summers Mangli continues to crush sugarcane with his manual machine to give frothy juice, the only difference being change of location.
Now the beneficiaries are children of Canara High School Urva, as he has his makeshift shop opposite the school. His main clients are school children and those who frequent the stadium and nearby grounds for exercise or to play various games. It looks as though he can’t keep himself away from his association with children. 'I like children and their pranks and they in turn like me and somehow this association continues', he says in his usual candor.
Ananth Shenoy becomes Mangli
Having started to crush sugarcane in 1958 at the age of 16, Mangli has no qualms about continuing to work even at this age. On the contrary he says 'the manual sugar crushing machine has kept me healthy and I wish I am able to earn my livelihood as long as I am alive'.
Everyone knows him by his nickname 'Mangli', which got stuck to him like fevikol and none even bothered to know his real name as there was no need. Even Mangli, a happy-go-lucky chap did not mind it. He happily narrates the incident which brought him this nick name. There was a student Ozwald Pereira whom he called 'Mangli' one day just for fun and the students who heard this began to call him by this name. Ozwald who was highly troubled by this name confessed to Mangli about his problem. To come out of the quagmire they decided to call each other by the name 'Mangli' and it worked and the name stuck to the juice vendor. So K Ananth Shenoy became 'Mangli' to students and for everyone from priests of the school/college, lecturers, teachers and other staff.
Mangli took to this business out of necessity soon after the sudden demise of his father when he was studying in 9th. He had a choice of sending his mother to household work or start working and he chose the latter. One Ramachandra Mallya, who was running a juice stall in Nehru Maidan those days had brought two sugarcane juice machines from Mumbai and Ananth Shenoy yane Mangli hired one of it on a daily rent of Rs 2/- and started a make shift juice centre outside Aloysius campus.
'Light House Hill was like a forest and deserted. There were no petty shops like now or movement of people. Still I decided to open my juice stall there', he reminisces. Mangli is quite garrulous and naturally he could establish a rapport with the students. Even the students found him to be amiable and nice which even went to the extent of Mangli counseling many of them to study well. An avid cricket enthusiast who had captained his team in school in rubber ball cricket, Mangli even used to inspire the Kabaddi team of the school which then went on to win a medal at the state level.
Mentoring Students
What about drug use among students, I ask him. Did you counsel students about the ill-effects of drug abuse? Yes, he says, but none knew where the students got these drugs from. I used to tell many students not to fall prey to it. One of the sons of leading transport operators became a victim of this drug racket and Mangli regrets that he could not succeed in counseling the boy. As there was drug abuse among students college authorities and lecturers even suspected Mangli. Police even raided Mangli’s juice centre but found nothing. Magli even took them to his house to prove his innocence. They were shocked to see Mangli’s bedridden wife who was a victim of paralysis at a young age. But the police were convinced and could not find anything either in the shop or his house.
Mangli had a fascination of roaming and during offseason (rainy) he used to go to Mumbai. Mumbai’s Chowpaty was then famous for pani puri, bhel puri and other chaat items and Mangli who got a taste of it introduced them in Mangalore in the late 50’s. 'I introduced pani puri and other chaats here in Mangalore. All the big people of the city had come to my stall to taste it as it was something new then', Mangli recalls. There was good business and within two years Mangli had bought the machine from Mallya instead of paying daily rentals.
In 1982 he shifted to Bunder as the then port officer offered him a shop there and electric machine. But during 1992 Ayodhya incident his shop was burnt. Though he was offered all help to restart the business he could not regain the business and finally put a make shift juice shop in front of the Mangala Stadium. When the concrete was in the making he shifted to the roadside shady area opposite Canara School Urva and is operating from there ever since.
Mangli’s wife was a victim of paralysis at a young age. A few years after the birth of their only daughter Nandini, she became paralytic and was bedridden for 20 years. Mangli along with his sister took care of his wife who died 14 years back. He got his daughter married off soon after her graduation and she is now settled in Karkala. Though his daughter and son-in-law have been pestering him to come and stay with him he is resolute in his decision to continue working till he is able to.
Happiness in Struggle
After the death of his wife he lives alone in his rented house at Bejai Kapikad. His day begins early at 3 am. After a cold water bath and other chores he comes to his shop walking as during the season customers come as early as 5.30 am. He works till 4 pm and is able to have a business of Rs 250 to 300 daily. During summer season it goes up to even Rs 1000 followed by zero business during rainy season. Once he goes home he spends his time cleaning, washing, reading paper, watching television and is off to bed by 7.30 pm. One Prakash Nayak supplies him breakfast and lunch for Rs 50 daily and at night he manages with two bananas and a glass of milk.
Endowed with a helping nature Mangli had taken care of his brother’s family as he had died at a young age leaving three children and wife, even marginalizing his own family. But what he got in return was nothing but ungratefulness. Not that he expected any monetary help or expected anything in return. It saddens him that they have not maintained good relations with him. When he was admitted to hospital with Malaria a few years ago it was his friend who took care of him.
Though his own relatives have betrayed him he has been loved by strangers whom he got acquainted during all these years as a sugarcane vendor. He remembers the family of J F D Frank which supported him whenever he faced difficulties. He also recalls the rapport he had with Physical Instructor of Aloysius College Benjamin D Souza and now a college boy Shravan has become his chum. He visits his home every day and is fond of the old man.
Ananth Shenoy has found happiness in what he has been doing. His wants are limited and needs are frugal. He wants to work as long as he is able to and not to be a burden on others. Early to bed and early to rise seems to be the secret of his good health. Dealing with children also seems to be his antidote that keeps him in the pink of health. He is not bothered by material wealth or and is happy with what he has though life has been an odyssey of struggle.
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