ROQUE DIAS | NT

Margao

Agostinho Fernandes, a differently-abled music teacher, who has taught music to nearly 80 children since 2007, is now selling tea, coffee and snacks at the wholesale fish market, Margao, to eke out a living.

His dream was shuttered by the COVID pandemic. And, he was forced to take up tea selling to carry on with life since September 2020.

Fernandes, a resident of Ambaulim, Quepem comes to the wholesale fish market, Margao by covering a distance of more than 15 kilometres as early as 2.30 am to earn the minimum daily income to feed his wife and two children.

“One can do any work to feed one’s family. I used to teach music for eight to ten hours daily — giving one hour each to one enthusiastic candidate. Though the income was moderate, it was enough for me to feed my family. However, when COVID struck, everything changed. Parents of these children stopped me from visiting their houses to teach music, fearing about COVID, and hence, there was no income for me. I waited for almost five months hoping that the situation would improve and normalcy would come, but it did not. The situation forced to think further about the other way for me to generate some income. And, I decided to serve tea at the wholesale fish market from September last year,” he informs.

The middle-aged Fernandes, who holds three-year polytechnic diploma, says that he could not pursue it for lack of financial support.

“Life has to go on. I sell tea, coffee and snacks at the wholesale fish market, which my wife prepares at home. I leave my home at 2 am on my scooter and reaches the wholesale fish market at 2. 30 am,” Fernandes explains.

Imposition of curfew, and subsequent closure of the wholesale fish market for almost a month since May again came as a hurdle to Fernandes.

“Keep faith in God and do your work. And, God will bless your hard work,” he says adding, “When the wholesale fish market was closed, I did not sit idle at home. I started selling fish in my village – Ambaulim for almost a month and tried hard to earn something.”

Now, the re-opening of the wholesale fish market has brought smile on Fernandes’ face.

This reporter visited the wholesale fish market and found Fernandes serving tea and snacks to wholesale fish traders and fish buyers. He conducts business by sitting on his special scooter.

Sources said the SGPDA and the sopo contractor also back Fernandes.