An Inspiring Tea Seller

 An Inspiring Tea Seller

                                       

Recently I came across a very inspiring story of a Delhi based tea seller. I was moved so much by reading his story couldn't stop myself in penning it here. A 67-year-old Laxman Rao, award-winning chai-wala. He is a writer and tea seller. The author of over 25 novels, plays and political essays. Born in 1952 in Maharashtra's Amravati city, Laxman Rao identified his interest in reading books when he was in class 8. After a few years, he travelled to Delhi to publish his book in 1975.

Soon he understood that it is not an easy task for an ordinary person to publish a book at big publishing houses. For years he worked as a cleaner and laboured it out in Delhi. A few years later, he realised that to take care of his family he would have to sell tea, paan at the streets. But he was so much determined in fulfilling his dream of publishing his books. With a lot of hardship and struggle, he opened "Bhartiya Sahitya Kala Prakashan" and published his first book with his earnings. Till date, he has published 25 Novels in his own publishing house.

At the age of 50, he completed his graduation and at 63, he completed his post-graduation. Mr Laxman cycles to different places in the city to sell his books. A whopping 30,000 copies of his books were sold by him till date. Laxman Rao also earns around 8,000 by selling his books at his tea stall. This tea seller has also received many awards from leaders, including prime minister Indira Gandhi and former president, Pratibha Patil.

Rao says that his books are based on ideas he gets while interacting with his customers and his writings revolve around their struggles. Reviewers have said that his books ''exude a rare sense of honesty and humility". And that his writings are woven around ground realities of life. Rao is also known in Europe, where articles are written about him, e.g. in Germany. Mr Laxman now wishes to pursue his Ph, D and also wants to learn other languages. And his Dream is to become Indian Shakespeare.

Mr Rao acknowledges his humble beginnings that it was his tea shop which gave him a good life. So he will strive to sell tea till whatever age he can. Life always teaches us small things in small places, if we are determined enough to fulfil our dreams. Mr Rao story also tells us there is no age for learning. As I too believe in keep learning and keep trying.  

Tejaswini Sikka