UBEYDULLAH HAKAN

VAN (DİHA) -74 year old Tahir Umdu who is known as a saw- grinder in Van, although he is not making money as much as that in past continue to maintain his occupation for 33 years. Stating that he does not see saw-grinder only as a job, Umdu; said that ''I calm down by grinding my troubles laden on me with years as I grind saw.''

74 year old Tahir Umdu, is making livelihood of his family by grinding saw for 33 years in a barrack which he set up on Besyol Street. Umdu who gains about 10 YTL in a day, look after 9 population. The biggest difficulty of Umdu, who states that the money gained by hand power gives him peace, is dullness of business as agriculture retreats.

' I am gradually disappearing'

Stating that his business went well when agriculture was favoured one, but in last years with regression of agriculture his business stagnated, Umdu, said that '' As city of Van grows up I am vanishing. When I first established this barrack I had not thought that someday this occupation would face vanishment. I had my 9 children grown up with the money I had earned in first years. I went to hadj. But now I could only subsist. ''

' I grind my troubles'

Stating that because he does not make as much money as before he had to work in other jobs, Umdu, said that '' I take 3 YTL per saw, I earn 10 YTL a day. Surely this does not come sufficient. In fact I am not only grinding saw but I feel at ease by grinding my troubles years had laden on me together with grinding saw.''

(Fotoğraf: Ubeydullah HAKAN)

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