UP cobbler rejects Rs 2 lakh offer for 'chappals' stitched by Rahul Gandhi

On July 26, Ramchet, a humble cobbler from Sultanpur, unexpectedly found himself in the spotlight when Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, visited his modest kiosk near the district court. Gandhi had stopped by after making a personal appearance in the MP/MLA court regarding a defamation case involving alleged remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

During his visit, Gandhi spent a considerable amount of time at Ramchet's kiosk, learning the craft of stitching ‘chappals’ (slippers) and shoes. As a token of appreciation, Gandhi sent an electric shoe stitching machine to Ramchet the following day.



Since then, Ramchet has been overwhelmed with offers from people eager to purchase the footwear that Gandhi had worked on during his visit. Some offers have gone as high as Rs 2 lakh, but Ramchet has refused to sell the slippers. Instead, he plans to frame them as a cherished memento.

Local resident Pappu Pandey remarked, "Ramchet has now become a local celebrity. People from distant places visit his kiosk to get their shoes polished and to see the slippers stitched by Rahul Gandhi."

Recounting his experience, Ramchet said, "A man came to my house early in the morning and offered me Rs 1 lakh for the slippers stitched by Rahul ji, but I refused. When I reached my kiosk, another person was waiting with an offer of Rs 2 lakh or more, but I declined. I am receiving numerous phone calls from people wanting to buy the slippers, but I tell them that they are not for sale."

Ramchet's story has captured the attention and admiration of many, highlighting the profound impact of a simple act of kindness and recognition from a prominent leader.

Inputs from TOI