Anecdote:
The birdman of Chennai spends 40 per cent of his income to provide food daily to 2000 parrots
The dilapidated terrace of camera mechanic C Sekar in Chennai turns into a dining hall for around 2,000 parrots every day. He wakes up at 4:30 in the morning everyday to prepare a meal for these birds, who come at his house at sharp 6 in the morning. The same routine is followed in the evening.
Every morning and evening, Sekar arranges several rows of wooden planks and serves thirty kilos of rice to the birds who have been visiting his place since the last more than 10 years.
The 62-year-old owner of Camera House says, "What are we going to take back even if we earn a lot? This is just a service for these living creatures. This gives me lot of spiritual satisfaction".
Sekar avoids travelling out of the city for the love of these visitors. During unavoidable circumstances, he returns on the same day.
"Once, we had arranged my friend to feed the birds. But they just did not land to eat. They are sharp and they know me. Since then, I don't travel at all," he said.
Sekar, who spends around five hours every day to feed these parrots, has little time left for camera repair work. The 62-year-old said he has pledged around 20 sovereigns of his wife's gold to feed the birds.
He spends 40 per cent of his income to provide food to these birds. On days when he earns good money, the parrots get a special treat. "I feed them American baby corn and guava on days I make good money," he says.
However, the 45-year-old house, where he lives on rent, is up for sale. Not willing to abandon these birds, Sekar wants to sell a vintage collection of 4000 cameras to raise money so that he can buy the property. Sekar says he has the total support of his family.
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