Vizag stories: A watchmaker’s age-old tryst with time

Watchmaker Samba has been helping people in Vizag keep a time-check in their busy lives. Teja Kovvali interacts and finds out more.

“Many years ago, one of my friends had set up a watch-repair shop and advised me to do the same for earning a decent livelihood. It has been 34 years since I took his advice and entered into this business. After sweating it out day and night, I managed to shift the locale of my business to a decent shop in one of the nearby buildings. However, owing to some invariable reasons, the shop had to be shut down a few years later and I once again started my work on the pavement.
I work from 9:30 in the morning to 8:15 in the night and manage to make a profit of around Rs. 500 per day. The current earnings just about suffice to our basic necessities as life passes by in the constant process of making and repaying debts.

I have been operating at Seethammapeta all my work-life. The owners of my present location are very cordial and don’t even charge rent from me. The only occasional bother is that I need to keep shifting along the street at the order of the Municipal authorities.

My wife, daughter and I, stay at the government-provided residence at Boyapalem. We lead a modest life and try to be content with whatever we possess. My daughter is currently pursuing her 2nd year of Intermediate and is doing really well. She is determined to secure a job and take good care of her parents.

I have never expected much in life. I am content with what I make and plan to retire as a watchmaker. My work, the regular customers, and my family are what keep me engaged and I need nothing else for a happier life.”

Samba has been repairing watches of innumerable people over the years and we wish that he too has happy times ahead.

Samba can be found in front of the Durga Ganapati Temple at Seethammapeta.