Ooty farmers celebrate local Pied Piper's b'day with a rat-shaped cake

Udhagamandalam: Farmers across Ooty came together to celebrate the 61st birthday of a local Pied Piper, a Saviour of sorts for protecting their crop from rodents, on Sunday.

Mani, widely known as 'Eli Mani', was given a surprise by farmers in Adashola near Ooty, who arranged for a rat-shaped cake to be cut on the occassion. This was their way of showing their gratitude for all the years he spent catching rats in their fields and saving their crop from damage.

Mani, a Class 3 dropout, entered the profession about 25 years ago, charging 25 paise to trap a rat. With growing demand for his services, his rate has gone up to Rs 80 now. Once he traps the rodents, he shows them to the farmers to get his money. Claiming he was the only rat catcher in the area for the last two decades, Mani said he trapped about 10 to 30 rats daily, which were buried and if dead, fed to the crows

Ramesh, a farmer from Adashola near Ooty said, "Rats are naturally attracted to cabbage, carrot and beetroot. If not for the rat-catcher, at least 20% of the crop would be destroyed by rodents". They all agree that Mani is an expert in terminating the rat menace and protecting the investments of farmers.

When the farmers came to know that his birthday was coming up, they decided to surprise him. They ordered a special cake for him in the shape of a rat and took him out to a restaurant where they celebrated his birthday.

The farmers in Manjanakoarai area near Ooty also celebrated his birthday by inviting him to their village. Mani told TOI, "I was really overwhelmed by what the farmers did for me. I just catch rodents as a job. I don't expect anything in return. Thus, I was touched by their kindness," he said.

Mani had exterminated thousands of rats over the past decade as part of his job. On a daily basis he catches at least 10 to 15 rats.

Farmers located close to Nilgiris border in Karnataka also seek his help during harvesting time.

(with inputs from agencies)