KABARIWALLAS :Come Diwali,there is a spate of Kabariwallas flooding the streets. They are blessed with a high pitched voice so that their approach is audible from a distance as far away as a furlong or two. As one looks upon something with surprise, they suspect you as a customer, perchance if you open the gate of your house and confront them. They glorify self, themselves ,by declaring Kabari or Kabariwala which otherwise we use to taunt someone who enshrines old stuff around his living space. I have so many odd things from my ancestors, which have a sentimental value, and they are like soveniers and antiques, but their old look is very painful to my worthy guests or visitors. However,the place has the look of an old monument The Kabariwalas have a hawkish look to identify metals of different kinds like iron,steel, brass, copper and non-ferrous like plastic , paper, kapi-kitab, gatta etc.These are the things they generally ask for. An old bi-cycle or a rehri ( barrow) are the most economical means of transport for them. A few gunny bags, ropes and a kam- chalaoo weighing tarajoo , with one weight only, are the tools employed to secure and weigh the goods. I cant say all, but a few of them are dishonest and act extra smart. Suppose you have a pile of old newspapers and after striking a deal he starts weighing. The clever one generally weighs 1/2 kg first and transfers the bundle to the weight side. Now this side is supposdely 1 kg. But actually it is not. By a trick of the balancing rod he has weighed more than 1/2 kg say 3/4 or even 1 kg. While you are accounting 1 kg per round he is getting 1-1/2, 1-3/4 or 2 kg. In the end for a weight of 20 kg he will pay you for 10 or 12 kg. They lure the customer by offering an exorbitant rate initially while striking the deal.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 14:44:39 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015