The political science of selling tender coconut

COIMBATORE: A coconut seller with a postgraduate degree? Indeed, yes. He also has a diploma in catering and plans to explore the possibility of selling tender coconuts in various flavours like strawberry and mango.T Hariharan (28) of Nagercoil got his MA in political science from the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in 2003. After that he obtained a diploma in catering.  Belonging to a poor family, Hariharan had to struggle to complete his studies. His parents, Dhanushkodi and Vanasudari, are agricultural labourers.“A restaurant owner in Tirunelveli helped me complete my under-graduation in Palayamkottai. I worked in a hotel and completed my post-graduation through a correspondence course. I then got a catering diploma, working simultaneously at the hotel,” Hariharan said.“Opportunities are plenty in this world and I chose this profession,” he said. “No profession is lower than another.” Hariharan has been selling tender coconuts on the roadside near Avinashilingam University for Women for seven years now. Hariharan is happy that he is able to provide work to nearly 10 people. He attracts customers because of his friendly approach. “For me the customer is like god” he points out.He wants to explore new opportunities. “I am planning to visit places like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia to explore the possibility of offering tender coconuts in flavours like strawberry and mango,” he said.