Chinamma is a stout lady in her early 60’s. She had a few chickenpox marks on her face. She was wearing a red sari, jewelry in her ear, nose, and a gold chain on her neck. She was not an ordinary fish seller. Her basket had a fresh catch of Pomfret, Bhetki, Rawas apart from Crab and Prawns.
I met her during the Monsoon season when the sea behaves unevenly because of rain and wind. But fishermen venture into the sea to kill their hunger, feed the family. The risk is worth taking.
She would wake up early morning to escort her husband, son, and grandson to the nearby beach. They would have a meal and pray before venturing to the sea for a good catch.
A devout of Lord Vishnu, she did monthly fasts and avoided eating meat, fish on those rare days. On the other days, she could not avoid eating fish. She mentioned that both her daughters are happily married and lives in Bangalore. In 2012 July month, her husband bought a catch of a Pomfret. One of the fish looked unusual in size. Chinamma cut the fish in half and noticed small glittery stones apart from the intestine and river of blood. It appeared like some miracle. She prayed to her Lord Vishnu, washed those stones, and took it to the village priest. The pious man returned half of the stone to her and kept half as a donation.
If you are driving on the national highway 66 between Karwar and Kundapur, you will find a big temple of Lord Vishu. People across the state visit it.
I asked Chinamma, why after all the money, she continues in this business. She replied this is the only thing she is good at and enjoys doing. She does not want to retire at home watching TV but, she likes talking, meeting locals. That is her way of life.