“I am the eldest of six siblings. I have never attended school and have been working as a shoe maker since I was a young boy, having learnt the trade from my father. We have been setting shop on Saidpur Road for some years now and we have been in the business for some 60 years, with my younger brother Kamran and I working as cobblers for 15 years.

I live in a rented house in Bhara Kahu and work for between 14 and 17 hours every day. One shoe takes about a day or two to repair. Some 20 years ago, people would come from far in order to repair or make a special kind of shoe, but the trend is dying now and only those who wear handmade shoes or those who have time to repair damaged shoes come to us. At times, we will have a groom come in to make something different for his wedding.

I got married five years ago and have two boys now. I think my brother and I will be the last to work in this trade because shoe making is no longer considered a respectable profession, even though we earn enough to support our families. I would want my sons to pursue other professions.”

Published in Dawn October 8th, 2016