Dhenkanal man's fingers of dedication

Dhenkanal: A plastic wire furniture maker in Dhenkanal town weaves an inspiring success story of beating all odds with dedication and hard work to achieve a name and position in society. Though unlettered, Bhaba Samal's products are in great demand today owing to his artistry, punctuality and dedication to excellence.
The 60-year-old man, better known as Bhaba bhai, hailing from the non-descript village of Bedapada under Hindol block, came to Dhenkanal town 40 years ago in search of a job.When Samal was 13, he started taking an interest in painting furniture and walls of houses in his village. Seeing his artistic prowess, one of his well-wishers arranged a training in carpentry for him.
Samal, whose father was also a carpenter by profession, underwent training in carpentry in Rairakhol Artisan Multi Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd at Rairakhol of Sambalpur district in 1985. The six-month-long training was sponsored by Orissa Khadi and Village Industries Board.
"I learnt every aspect of carpentry, like fine wood working, model building, instrument building, furniture- making, including making plastic wire woven chairs. To acquire in-depth knowledge about the trade, I stayed there and practiced the skill for three years. I became especially fond of making plastic wire woven chairs," Samal detailed. "Since then, I have been concentrating on weaving plastic wire on the frame of wooden or iron made chairs. Gradually I started getting orders from government offices for making such chairs in large numbers," he added.
The district court, settlement office, public health department, government schools and block offices have been giving Samal regular orders for making and repairing plastic woven chairs for the past 20 years. In this period he has been often visited by individuals and officials from other districts like Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Keonjhar, Sambalpur and Puri as well. His growing popularity entailed that Samal has often visited these districts for his work. Samal has been favoured by his clientele due to his good dealings and prompt service.
"Bhaba bhai weaves very good chairs of various designs and delivers service within the time given to him. He is very punctual and dedicated to his work," said two of his regular customers Ratikant Sahoo and Binati Biswal, vouching for his work.
Samal can be seen weaving chairs for hours together at his roadside work site in the open, under street light in the night and under the shade of trees during the day time. The old man stays near Amalapada area of the town.
"I have never been to a school in my life. Though I am not academically literate, but commitment to my profession has made me competent and visible in society," Samal maintained. "If I am unable to finish the work during day time, I work till 2 am under the street light. I have also taught the craft to my wife Ghumati Samal, who is helping me with my weaving work," he added.
His magic fingers can weave over 35 plastic wire chairs, tables and beds, apart from repair works, in a month. Charging about Rs 200 for each article, Samal makes a tidy sum of Rs 7,000 per month.
Samal enjoys a reasonably good life, enjoying non-vegetarian dishes, of which he is very fond, every day, except Monday. He regularly puts aside some money in banks, with which he could conduct the marriage of his two daughters handsomely.
"I am very happy with my profession. If I could have been engaged in imparting training to others, so many needy youths could learn the skill so as to become self-reliant," Samal smiled.