The coastal villages of Salcete are abound with paddy fields and thick coconut groves. Paddy cultivation has significantly reduced and so also the rice and coconut oil mills. The reduction of the mills is due to the fact that the younger generation is no longer interested in their parents’ traditions and are looking out for other avenues. There are these hard working farmers who religiously cultivate their fields and needs the services of a rice mill. The coconut produce also require mills to extract coconut oil from the Copra- dried kernel, of the coconut used to extract coconut oil. When many of the mills in Benaulim, Colva having downed their shutters, its ‘Shanu-chi Girrin’ which comes to the rescue of this people. This mill is being run by our Octogenarian Gentleman popularly known as Anandrao.
“Senhor Anandrao Lotlikar is a respected octogenarian who single handedly operates a rice/oil mill at Sernabatim, Colva. When people of his age are now rocking in their chairs, playing with the grandchildren or six feet under, this gentleman seems to have tremendous strength and will power. Exactly a year back, I alongwith my wife had taken copra to extract oil. Nothing much has changed in him a year later. The two mills in Benaulim had closed shop decades back. This is the only mill available for Benaulim and Colva. He, at this age is not only doing business but providing yeomen service to the people. May God Bless him and keep him healthy for a long, long time to come. I bow down to you Senhor Anandrao,” said Benaulim resident Rudolf Barreto who has been following Lotlikar’s work closely.
This great grandfather to two great grandchildren, Anandrao Shanu Lotlikar was born in 1929 in the coastal village of Sernabatim, Colva, in Salcete taluka. He did his basic education in Portuguese. He is the eldest among six siblings, three brothers and three sisters. He took up the family traditional Occupation of Gold smithy at around the age of 20. A decade later, around the age of 30, he diversified into a rice/oil (coconut) mill whilst simultaneously continuing his goldsmith job. He is a father to two daughters, his only son having expired some years back. He is a grandfather to four beautiful damsels and a proud great grandfather to two toddlers. His one brother is a retired employee of the Postal Department and his other brother is a Goldsmith and continuing the family tradition.
His day starts at around 7.30am. After his morning ablutions and prayers he takes his breakfast at 8.00 am. He starts his mill at 9 am, takes a break at 11am to enjoy his Canji without fail. His lunch break is at around 1.30pm to 2.00pm, depending on the customers. His evening shift is at 3.00pm and ends at around 6.30pm to 7pm. He works independently in his rice/oil mill with some of his family members and grand-daughters assisting him to do the initial set-up of pulling on belts etc. He serves his ever grateful customers with a smile.
His lanky slim frame is supporting his strong limbs. He does not stoop nor wears glasses at work. His skin still radiates that glow which will put today’s middle aged person to shame.
Mayuri, his granddaughter proudly says that her grandfather does not believe in sitting idle. She says that his work not only exercises his limbs, but keeps his mind occupied which also keeps him mentally fit. She says that during the monsoon, when customers are less, he feels out of place since he has to keep the mill idle. She further informs that he is that ‘pucca Goan’ who strictly sticks to his diet of fish-curry rice for lunch and evening. She says he cannot do without fish. His breakfast is very simple of either chapatti or bread. He does not miss his daily Canji at 11 am. She says even if they go out to eat, he does not believe in eating the rich food or Chinese food.
When asked for the reasons for pursuing the back- breaking work at the mill at this age, he says that the work at the mill has kept him healthy all these years. Besides, he says that he is getting double paid for his work. The first payment is in cash and the other payment is in the form of `Blessings’ from his ever grateful Customers. He says that they thank him for the work and pray that God should keep him healthy for at least another 10 years more. “Avoiss,10 vorsam anik???… Naka saiba’,” Lotlikar quips in Konkani with a grin while recounting his conversations with his customers clearly indicating that it motivates him to keep on working at the mill. When asked if he had plans to call it a day at his mill, Lotlikar smiled and said that he will continue as long as God keeps him healthy to serve the people.
In a message to the public, Lotlikar said that everyone should do hard work, which not only fetches you money, it also brings in a sense of self-satisfaction and achievement. This keeps your mind and body healthy. To the youth, Lotlikar stressed that that today’s generation must realize the dignity of labour. He laments that he can see today’s youth zooming on bikes even to cover short distances which they could have easily covered on foot, say to run an errand for their parents. He says that he can see foreigners jogging or doing the brisk walking daily whereas our people have forgotten to take care of our body. “Health is the biggest asset and we should strive to keep ourselves fit and trim to lead a long and happy healthy life,” adds Lotlikar as he goes back to his work.
