Building Relations

-By Monisha Jain.


Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something. They are trying to find someone who is going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last long is, if you see ‘your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take.’ This can be said from the story of a man who started off as a clerk and today has attained a level of personal success where all his needs are taken care of and still there is more to achieve.

At sixty, Mr. Maniklal Shah, friendly of face and given to forming an instant rapport with everyone he meets; has no professional degree. He sells books and magazines from his spot on a pavement as he has been  doing his whole life. Due to financial problems he left his studies in the tenth grade and started working as a clerk in the office of the Maharashtra Herald at the age of thirteen. He worked there for six years before losing the job whereupon he took it upon himself to start an ice-cream parlor near the entrance of the     coffee house where a paan shop stands today.

Shortly after, spotting a dramatic increase in the readers of newspapers and book, he decided to strike out on his own in the industry. With only a staircase to sit on, a little capital in hand and nothing to lose, he started his newspaper agency called “Shri paper agency”. Two years in the trade taught him some hard lessons. He realized that he would not be able to make his ends meet just by selling newspapers. Having entered the market, he thought of selling books as well.Getting into it was a gradual process. It was an uphill task; the language barrier posed a problem. “I could not make out which book was in demand or which book the customer was asking for”, he remembers. 

One runs through the mental list of management concepts one hears of so often even in regular periodicals. Mr. Shah did not know of any fancy management principles that could help him overcome the odds.  He was, however, always open to learning. Heeding the advice of his friends and customers, he followed the concept of self-service in his book stall. With that, he also started learning English on his own. Today, he is able to converse in English with his customers and offers knowledgeable banter on all books- old and new.

“My customers always give me tips and it was they who suggested starting a library”. Mr. Shah started his library with 25 members in 1984 with a more-than-reasonable deposit of Rs. 30. Till 2009, he maintained the library with 200 members. Today he earns a sizeable income and is satisfied with it. The satisfaction is sweetened by the goodwill which he has earned in Pune city. Still, and even more pleasantly, Mr. Manikalal Shah remains humble.

Many people walk past his shop every day. A few become his customers and a few stop only to exchange smiles with him. He has such a way with people that even those who have visited his shop but once end up becoming regulars.

In an age when most people can’t see past their own goals, careers and achievements, Mr. Shah is one of those who think of societal welfare. “I am happy in this business. I look after my family. And now I just want to contribute to society”, says Mr. Shah. Among his friends, Dr. Nazim Sheikh, who is a regular customer of his library, thought of starting a hospital. Mr. Shah provided the real estate for the hospital. “I want to provide a wide range of facilities to the poor and middle class people who cannot afford it”, says Mr. Shah.

Mr. Shah has been a favorite with the youngsters. The warmth that makes it impossible not to smile is palpable when you visit the enterprise. A number of   satisfied customers return for another visit, smiling. He has customers who are students, doctors and engineers all over the world like America, UK, Singapore, Dubai and Muscat. Whenever they come back home, they come and see him.

There are many booksellers in Pune but Mr. Maniklal Shah, a real people person, builds a relationship with his customers. He solved all his problems of business through his interpersonal skills. 

He has also formed a mutual understanding with his competitors, whom he does not see as rivals but rather considers them his fellow booksellers. “I have reached a level where I am able to satisfy all my family’s needs and wants. Now I just want to sit here and be with my books and customers”, he says. He connects with people in a way that it seems that they’ve made a strong acquaintance.