Inspiring Mansoor

True Story… 

By Atul Dhamorikar

Location: Bangalore. Year-2017.

Last Friday I met a cute little boy (Mansoor) in a bus travelling from KR-Market towards Marathalli. It’s been couple of months I am visiting electronic component shops in KR-Market quite often. Mansoor grabbed my attention when he was fighting with bus conductor for not to charge him for extra luggage which he was carrying. Soon I realized that  he was travelling alone with those two big baggage’s. I was surprised & curious to know, how it is even possible for him to get these luggage in bus? So I shifted right next to him.

I started interacting with him he said “Coolie ko bees rupaye dena padta oo bus me saman dal ke jata”. Somehow I started liking his typical Hyadrabadi accent so I continued with my series of questions to him.

I learnt from Mansoor that his father is street vendor of plastic and steel items and he generally sends little Mansoor alone to do wholesale shopping. I was even more stunned when he proudly told me how profit making this business is, which helps them to run his family & to pay 17500/- annual English medium school fees. By the way Mansoor finished his 4th class studies and entering in to 5th this year. 

As he was unknowingly revealing many things about day to day life, I could just see spark in his eyes and a crystal clear vision about family support by having perfect grip on trade while keeping his studies on track. I asked him, kids at your age are scared even to cross the streets, how come you learned about market and which products to buy… he replied innocently “Bachpan se mere ko abbu sath me leke jata bazar se maal lane ke liye” as if I asked this question to an adult.

I don’t know who he is…. a fighter, trader, passionate student or a gem but  I'm sure he is surely not a kid….

I regret not taking a selfie with him because I got distracted with a phone call and missed Mansoor's inspirational narrative.