MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO- On Monday, March 21, I had to stop in a small café at 5.30 am for quick cup of tea in the heart of Colombo Fort since my glucose level was going down.
It was the day following the announcement made by the Canteen Owners Association to increase the price of a cup of tea to Rs 100.
I gave him a Rs 100 currency note and asked him a cup of tea, the owner who was at the counter gave me a balance of Rs 40 and told me to go to my car and he would deliver it to the vehicle.
On receipt of Rs 40, I smilingly told the owner, “from today a cup of tea is Rs 100 and now you are still selling at Rs 60.” His reply was astonishing and made me wonder that we fail to differentiate the humans from among the so-called men and women in our country.
This was his reply: “ Sir ! this is a time everyone is undergoing a crucial period, most of my customers are lower middle-class people who have to bear an additional burden.So still I have not decided to increase the price of a cup of tea for their sake.”
I was speechless, I could see a human among the unscrupulous traders, hoarders, hard-hearted businessmen who try to exploit the customers at every opportunity.
After drinking the cup of tea, I walked upto him and removed this picture to tell our readers that God keep us comfortable under the umbrella of a few good hearted humans.
