PANJIM: The advent of personal computers may have phased out the trusty typewriter, but Adolfo Carvalho of Panjim is one of the few who has insisted on continuing to use the once ubiquitous machine and teaching others to do too.
His typewriting/computer training institute, J A Carvalho, housed in a Portuguese-era building in the state capital, is a legacy that he proudly nurtures to not only teach those who are interested in the skill of typewriting, but also to repair and service typewriters themselves.
“This institute was established in 1960 by my father, Jose Antonio Carvalho. Though I have other businesses, I continue to carry his legacy forward by acquiring the skills of using and repairing typewriters from him,” Adolfo recalls fondly. “At one time, it was the only source of our bread and butter. I have an emotional attachment to this profession and don’t work
for money.”
Aldolfo, who is also a PWD contractor and runs a small unit of a food chain at Merces, said his institute three- and six-month courses in typewriting, both of which are recognised by the Pune government.
He said that the response, however, has been lukewarm at best, as more and more people lean towards personal computers.
“Earlier, we would bag contracts for maintenance of typewriters with different government departments, including the police and the high court. That’s not to say that we do not still get inquiries and repair requests from the government, although these have tapered down. Recently, I repaired typewriters of the Government Polytechnic in Panjim and the Goa Board,” Adolfo says.
He also visits offices to fix the devices and brings them to his institute only if major repairs are needed. All this is done with a smile and extremely minimal fees as he preserves to the best of his ability to preserve typewriters and provide allied services.
