Alumni of St Aloysius HS 1989 Batch Honour ‘Samosa Ajja’- a Snacks Vendor at SAC, since 1980

Alumni of St Aloysius HS 1989 Batch Honour ‘Samosa Ajja’ Mallikarjuna Malagi- a Gandhian who has been a Snacks Vendor at the entrance of St Aloysius High School/College- Mangaluru, since 1980

Mangaluru: Anyone who has studied at St Aloysius School or High School or College in Mangaluru will never forget “Mangli” aka Ananth Shenoy, (who owned a make-shift Sugar cane juice cum Bhelpuri shop near St Aloysius College near Tagore Park (LHH Rd) and was a very popular man among SAC students and the general public); and while “Samosa Ajja” Mallikarjuna Malagi, was yet another favourite man of Aloysians who had been selling snacks like Samosa, Kadle (Groundnuts), Chikki, Shenga, etc near the St Aloysius High School gate for the last 40 years. Even though I still remember him, since I was his customer for Chikki/Kadle during my B Sc days at St Aloysius, unfortunately, this Gandhian due to his old age couldn’t recognize me when I met him a few months ago but was happy (with his teeth-less smile) to see one of his Chikki customer having close encounters with him after nearly two decades.

It’s nice to note that the Alumni of St Aloysius High School 1989 batch decided to honour “Samosa Ajja” today, 7 July 2020. Speaking to Team Mangalorean, one of the 1989 Alumni, John Chandra said, ” Since, when I was a student at St. Aloysius High School, I would notice this man named Malikarjuna Malagi, from Bagalkot. He’d stand near the Entrance to Aloysius Campus selling Samosas, chikkis, and whatnot to all the students. 30 years later and I’m working in the same institute as an Art Teacher and this man was still there selling samosas, to the extent that the students aptly referred to him as ‘Samosa Ajja’ and he had pretty much become a part of the Aloysian Campus by now. His perseverance, hard work, and effort made him a striking character in my eyes which is why I decided it would be a good idea to create a caricature of him. I have done caricatures of other famous people in the past and like before I posted this onto Facebook”

Caricature of “Samosa Ajja” done by John Chandran, an Art Teacher at St Aloysius HS

“To my surprise, this post went viral with tons and tons of people, all alumni of Aloysius began to share this not only on Facebook but even on Whatsapp and Instagram as well. On seeing this I decided to present ‘Samosa Ajja’ himself his Caricature. A few of us former classmates namely Zaheer Manipady, Pradeep D’Souza, Sampath Shetty, Mahesh, Ivan, Joseph, Michael, and myself, all from the 89′ batch of St. Aloysius High School presented him with the caricature. From the past few months, due to the Coronavirus outbreak “Ajja” has been unable to do business, which is why we decided to gift him a small monetary sum as a token of Gratitude, which did put a smile on his face, and in return, Ajja expressed his humble gratitude to all of us” added John Chandran.

Hailing from Badami-Bagalkot District in North Karnataka, mercurial septuagenarian Mallikarjuna Malagi, aged 84 years is affectionately called as “Samosa Ajja”, “Chikki Ajja”, “Shenga Ajja”, “Peda Ajja” and couple other nicknames has been selling snacks near the st Aloysius Chapel since 1980. He is a Gandhian, clad in a typical and same kind of mundu, white shirt and a Gandhi-topi. (cap)- and with a signature “Naama” on his forehead. Residing in Kavoor, along with his wife, Pathrava aged 65, who is a home-maker, “Samosa Ajja” is a proud father of four girls and one boy- who are all married and employed with good posts in renowned companies. He has built his own house- and even though his children have advised him to quit his snacks vending job, that they would support him, but Mallikarjuna likes what he is been doing, and don’t want him to be a burden to his family.

“I love this job which I have been at the helm for four decades. I love the children, teachers and priests of this institution-they make my day happy and I love to interact with all of them. Sitting at home doing nothing is boring, so I will continue what I am doing now till I am able to do it” said Ajja, when I met him before lockdown. He gets up early in the morning, does the morning pooja, quickly eats his breakfast, and riding by bus he is in the St Aloysius campus by 6.30 am. He assembles all his snacks on the table, and by 8-8.30 am he is ready for business. And every day before he starts his sales, he bows before the Aloysius Chapel and prays for two minutes.

“Samosa Ajja” hands over Samosas to Sandalwood Actresses (Twin Sisters) Advithi & Ashwithi Shetty who were St Aloysius PUC students and also Ajja’s customers

Don’t get surprised- Ajja is not only a good Chikki and Samosa salesman, but also an RJ? (Radio Jockey). In 2010, he was on Radio SARANG 107.8 FM broadcast from St Aloysius College- and on October 2-Gandhi Jayanthi Day, Ajja was on the air speaking about Mahatma Gandhi- and all those who heard him on the FM Radio complimented him for his marvellous talk- even his neighbours in Kavoor applauded him with high praises, and honoured him. And with his guest appearance on the FM Radio, he became more popular. When asked if he is invited to be on other FM Radio stations in town, would he accept the offer- he smilingly said, “Why not? If I did great at the College FM Radio, I think I can also do better at other Radio stations too!”

This Gandhian samosa vendor Ajja is always there at the St Aloysius High School/College School every single school/college days to sell snacks to school/college students, even if the most regular students miss their classes! One of the St Aloysius College Jesuit priests have mentioned that Ajja is deeply a spiritual person – attributes his little success to the lovely little Chapel of St Aloysius College- and though the most-written person in the campus and around, “Samosa Ajja” is the humblest and simple person!-he makes it a point to gift a packet full of groundnuts to some of us Jesuits – every now and then. If he gives a pack of nuts to one priest this month, next month it is some other Jesuit’s turn, and some other and some other!-has added the Jesuit priest.

When asked if the students trouble him or steal his food items, Ajja said, “No- everyone has been good to me- sometimes the students may be a little naughty but they never steal anything from me. And if they did, I have no a harsh word for any mischievous boy or girl who tries to steal a mini-samosa from my basket!- after all it’s “Makala Buddhi” (child manners/play). Ajja was very happy to take a photo with the St Aloysius High School Headmaster (see pic in the article) because in the past he said that he has posed for snaps with the institution Rectors, other Jesuit priests, teachers/lecturers/staff – and has many of those photos incorporated in his photo album at home. When asked how about a “Selfie with Alfie”, he joyfully jumped and posed for a Selfie with Yours Truly- Say Cheese!

“Samosa Ajja”seen with St Aloysius HS Headmaster Fr Gerard Furtado SJ

Speaking about his daily sales in the month of March before lockdown, Ajja said earlier his sales were good with more income, where he used to sell three samosa’s for Rs 10- but now due to the increase in prices of commodities, he sells each Samosa for Rs 5- and due to that students are buying less quantity. He also sells Jenu Mittai (Honey Sweet Ball); Shenga Chikki; Peda; Yellow Peda. Earlier he used to sell nearly 500-600 Samosas a day, but now the numbers have come down to 350-400 a day. During the school break time at 10:30 am or lunchtime at 12 noon, students flock at his make-shift shop, and ask for “Ajja, give me 2 samosas!; Ajja Ondu Chikki Kodi! (Ajja give me one Chikki); Ajja Eradu (two) Peda mathu Eradu Chocolate Kodi! (Ajja, give me 2 pedas and 2 chocolates); etc- and Ajja can handle the crowd with no difficulties- and manages cash transaction very accurately. And he has enough loose change to give back after any small purchase, unlike other petty shops in town, who always look for exact change or give back a token.

With his kind words of wisdom about st Aloysius Institutions, Ajja said, ” I am very grateful to the Jesuit priests of this institution who have treated me so well for so many years, and my relationship with them has grown year after year. When former headmasters or principals visit the Institution, they always make it a point to come and say “Hi” to me. Even the former teachers and lecturers come and greet me when they are around. I have kept a good rapport with everyone, from students to teachers/staff, and more than I like them, they like me even more. I am extremely grateful to everyone who have shown their love towards me, supported me- and may God bless them all”.