Mangalore: Gandhian sells samosas for Re 1

DHNS

Mangalore, 15 August 2010: It’s been over 20 years that St Aloysius College has witnessed a thin man in spotless white wearing a Khadhi cap, scurrying around the campus with two bags in his hands and when the school bell rings, it’s not possible to get hold of him because he will be surrounded with a crowd of students stretching their hands for the goodies. He is none other than ‘Samosa Ajja,’ a name coined with love by his goody fans over the years. 

 
“I was a kid when Gandhiji came to Bagalkot with his followers. His speech on freedom moved me. From then on, I started following his principles and stated wearing white cotton Kurta and Dhothi with Gandhi topi,” says Madukeshwar Mudeyappa Malagi aka samosa ajja, a Gandhian who hails from Badami.

Samosa Ajja came to Mangalore in late 1970s and started a small business of selling samosas in St Aloysius College campus. “Back then, I used to sell 3 samosas for a rupee. Over the years, I have increased my price and I am selling one samosa for a rupee. I also sell Chikki, Laddus, Pedas, Masala Kadle, Khadi, Jenu Goodu for the same price,” says Ajja.

Ajja who presently resides in Kavoor, starts his day early in the morning and is very particular about his exercise and puja. He then starts preparing samosas with his helpers and leaves home. He makes a stop at Sharavu Ganapathi temple before he reaches Aloysius college at 8.30 am.

He will be in the college premises till 5.30 pm busy selling samosas at different stops in the campus. He is a strong follower of time and surprisingly does not own a watch but is at the right stop dot sharp as he follows the school bell to schedule his task.

“Lunch breaks and after school and college hours is the time where my business is on peak. I do not visit other campuses as the timings clash. I have been selling samosas for many years and I have a lots of customers who come in search of me,” says Ajja with a toothless grin.

“I have eaten Ajja’s samosas when I was a degree student and now its been over 35 years since I first saw Ajja but he still comes with his goodies. He has become old now but his zeal is still the same,” says St Aloysius High School Kannada teacher G R Bhat.

Ajja’s virtues on non violence and his calm behavior has won many hearts on the campus and he became quiet a celebrity on the light house hill.

“Samosa Ajja has Radio Jockeyed some shows on Community Radio Sarang and has become quiet a hit. He can be called as a legend who have met many minds over the years,” says Sarang Director Fr Richard Rego.

“I was once called by a school to hoist the national flag on independence day. That was the moment I felt most honoured in my life,” says Ajja. “Accept joys and sorrows with the same spirit. Have discipline in life and try to achieve your goal. Gandhiji and the freedom fighters struggled a lot for this freedom and hence today we can stand on our feet. Lets not let it go a waste,” advises Ajja to the young generation.

Ajja plans to continue selling samosas till he has strength in his knees. He is survived by his wife and 5 children and grandchildren.