Must Read..... > The Samosa Vendor > “Today in India its unbelievable ....... > The numbers are a little difficult to swallow, ...... > But interesting nevertheless.” > It was my regular train journey home from work. > I boarded the 18:50pm train from churcugate. > When the train was about to leave marinelines, > A samosa vendor with an empty basket got on and took > the seat next to me. > As the compartment was sparsely occupied and my > destination was still far away, > I got into a conversation with him. > Me: "Seems like you've sold all your samosas today." > Vendor (smiling): "Yes. By God's grace, full sales today." > Me: "I really feel sorry for you people. Don't you get tired doing > This tiresome job the whole day?" :-( > Vendor: "What to do, sir? Only by selling samosas like this every day do > We get a commission of 75 paise for each samosa that we sell." > Me: "Oh, is that so ? How many samosas do you sell on an average each day?" > Vendor: "On peak days, we sell 4,000 to 5,000 samosas per day. > On an average, we sell about 3,000 samosas a day." > I was speechless.....for a few seconds. > The guy says he sells 3,000 samosas a day; at 75 paise each, > He makes about 2,000 rupees daily, or 60,000 rupees a month. > That's Rs. 60,000 a month. OMG. > I intensified my questioning and this time it was not for time pass. > Me: "Do you make the samosas yourself?" > Vendor: "No Sir. we gets the samosas through a samosa manufacturer > And we just sell them. After selling we give him the money > And gives us 75 paise for each samosa that we sell." > I was unable to speak a single word more but the vendor continued... > "But one thing...most of our earnings are spent on living expenses. > Only with the remaining money are we able to take care of other business." > Me: "Other business? What is that?" > Vendor: "It is a land business. In 2007 I bought 1.5 acres in > Palghar for 10 lakh rupees and I sold it a few months back for 60 lakhs. > Now I have bought land in umroli for 20 lakh rupees." > Me: "What did you do with the remaining amount? > Vendor: "Of the remaining amount, > I have set aside 20 lakhs for my daughter's wedding. > I have deposited the other 20 lakhs in the bank." whaatsmiley > Me: "How much schooling have you had?" > Vendor: "I studied up to third standard; > I stopped my studies when I was in the 4th standard. > But I know how to read and write. > Sir, there are many people like yourself, > Who dress well, wear a tie, wear shoes, > Speak English fluently and work in air-conditioned rooms. > But I don't think you guys earn as much > As we do wearing dirty clothes and selling samosas." :confused2: > At this point, what could I reply. After all, I was talking to a > Millionaire! The train chugged into khar station > Vendor: "Sir, this is my station...have a good day." > Me: "Take care." > What more is there to say...thinkingsmiley >