Slum boy extraordinaire
If you haven’t heard of Tukaram Chinawarr, maybe it’s time you should
SHWETA KAMAT
PANJIM, MARCH 11: Tukaram Chinawarr may not even show up in the hall of fame of the Panjim Corporation. But we hope he does! He may not walk the corridors of the House and take part in debates about the city where he migrated to. But we hope he does. He may just go back to slumming it at home in St Inez with his driver dad and municipal sweeper mom. But we hope he moves up in life.
Who is Tukaram Chinawarr. And why do we have these hopes? Tukaraam Chinawarr is a slum boy millionaire who has emerged from the debris of blocked mindsets as beacon of hope. In spite of his, well, humble background, his folks still sent him to Don Bosco School and Dempe Collage and to Salgaocar College. And today he is an independent candidate in ward number 8 contesting against Babush Monserrate’s star candidate and former mayor Tony Rodrigues. So how is he different?
In a chat with Herald he says and when he talks you listen. “We people have been brainwashed, fed the same stories, told what to do. And we have blindly followed. I have supported Parrikar and I have supported Babush. When I went with 2000 supporters to him, he said I was late and he would field me next time. I did not want to wait. And I realised I can do this on my own. And I have walked my own path.”
He has the swagger of youth, the confidence of crowd behind him and a hope for many who want to move out of a vote bank taken for granted and open their own treasure chest of hope
Yes, he is a migrant. But he has a different mindset. “They will never dirty St Inez nullah if they are provided proper toilet blocks and basic amenities,” Tukaram, who is a sales executive, reacted.
His father, Kamal though is worried. “He is fighting against mighty people. We wish him luck though.”
With no much money in his pocket to entice voters, this lad is already a popular figure in the ward. Panjimiites Initiative for Change (PINC) has supported Tukaram.
PINC leader Oscar Rebello was seen canvassing for him in the St Inez area. “He is a guy with energy and commitment. There is huge support for him. We need such genuine corporators,” Rebello said.
Another voter, Suresh Malgi said that for last 8 years people in this ward supported Babush and his candidate Tony Rodrigues. “Tony showed his colours soon after he got elected,” he said.
He has managed to keep the bribes and goodies doled by the powerful. His victory will prove him to be a champion of the powerless. A tag that more fancied opponents have so far bought but never got.
