While visitors take a lot of things granted, there is a crew that repeats tasks with unwavering efficiency year after year. Fondly called ‘the boys’, the group, most of whom have been working for the fair for nine years, keep things going
CHENNAI: When Manogar V, a PhD student of Presidency College now, jaywalked into the Chennai Book Fair nine years ago in search of some books, he would not have had an inkling then that he would become an integral and indispensable part of the team almost a decade later.
Now the ‘team captain’ of the group of volunteers at the Fair, Manogar is one of nearly 30 men who are on their ninth year at the Fair.
Referred to fondly as ‘my boys’ by Gandhi Kannadasan, president of BAPASI (Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India), they do almost everything they are asked to – from putting invitation cards in square envelopes and getting them ready to be sent, to taking care of the differently-abled who visit the fair. “We all did our undergraduation together. After the three years, some went on to work and some to study more. But we meet every year at the fair,” said Manogar.
R Naveen Kumar, for instance, cracked the TNPSC exams and is waiting for his posting as a village administrative officer (VAO) that is expected on January 18. Though he does not need the money anymore, he still comes here for the experience and to be with his friends.
When the ‘boys’ were studying BA Tamil, they said their classes would wind up at 1 pm after which they would start working at the fair until 9-30 pm. Asked if it did not wear them out for the next day’s classes, Manogar chuckles. “We don’t consider this work. We have fun meeting thousands of people every day and to satisfy each of them is a challenge,” he says.
According to some of the ‘boys’, they are recognised by some customers who return every year. Some call out to them from the crowd, some wave, smile or even just nod in acknowledgement. But it’s not always a bed of roses for the ‘boys’. Once a while, an unhappy customer would vent the frustration on one of them.
“Sometimes, like those years when the parking lot was too far from the venue, I’ve been yelled at. The key is to not lose your patience, no matter what,” said Manogar.
Sometimes, they are rewarded for the patience and lady luck smiles more than they could have dreamt. “I once got an autographed book from poet Vaali,” beams N Nagaraj.