A 'Kayaka Yogi' of a different kind

Hard labour

Age is no barrier for work. Of late, aged persons are more active than the younger generation when it comes to work.  Vasudeva, a 75-year-young-man is the perfect example. A newspaper hawker in the morning,  he  sets out on distributing jamuns to hotels in the evening.

The septuagenarian believes in hard work. He carries on his daily routine sincerely to make a living for him and his family.

His family members support in preparing delicious jamuns of different varieties and he Vasudeva distributes it to a few hotels and bakery across the city. At the ripe age, he peddles tens of kilo metres daily as part of his ‘kayaka’.

It is not just the jamuns, he is into distribution of newspapers for the last five decades.

“I was an agent for all the major newspapers. But, I surrendered the agency to mobilise money for the marriage of my three daughters and a son. Today, I sell newspapers every morning near Dufferin clock tower,” with a sense of pride. Vasudeva’s jamuns are quite famous. He prepares a variety of jamuns like dry jamun, jamun with elaichi, and dry fruits flavour. They are sought after in hotels and bakery.

According to Vasudeva, his wife Chandramma and daughter-in-law Lakshmi support him in preparing jamuns.

The family prepares the jamun mix using maida, milk powder, baking powder and citric acid.

“We do not rely on any readymade mix or outside agents. The mix is prepared with authenticity thanks to nearly four decades of rich experience,” said Vasudeva adding that he learnt the art of preparing the mix while working for a sweet shop near Shree Talkies for 20 years between 1972 and 1992.

 Vasudeva says he started making the jamuns on his own since 1992 following financial constraints on domestic front and responsibility of three daughters.

“The hard work always pays off. I conducted marriage of my children and also secure their future constructing them a house. I cannot sit at home idle just because I am old. It paves way for all aged related ailments. So, I will continue to work and earn on my own till I have strength to do the work,” he told City Herald.

The family’s modest home on 11th cross in Aravindanagar is their ‘KarmaBhumi’.

The family members support each other in making the sweets for the head of the family, while son Mohan Kumar is involved in selling packing covers and gift articles and goods.
Let the story of Vasudeva inspire the younger generation.