THE HINDU (Chennai, India) 27 July 06 `Snake-catcher' just a call away (Vidya K.S.)
Visakhapatnam: He holds out a tattered ten-year-old photo of a python attacking a crying 12-year-old boy. "This was my first catch," says P.B. Anand, proudly pointing to the python in the photo.
Known as `snake-catcher' in the Naval Base and Hindustan Shipyard area, Mr. Anand caught the stray python that had found its way into the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) ten years ago and attacked a boy. "After that, people began calling me to catch snakes that enter their houses or backyards," says Anand. "I have caught more than 600 snakes in the HSL and the naval area itself," he says. "By God's grace, I have never been bitten," he says. Whenever he visits his home State Kerala, he makes it a point to visit the famous `Manarshala' snake temple.
"People can call me anytime and I will do my best to help them. You can call me even at midnight and I will be at your doorstep," he says. "I never charge a single paisa for my services. People's prayers and best wishes are enough to keep me going."
After catching the snake, he puts it in a sack and leaves it at a jungle near Durga beach. "A snake will not harm you, unless you harm it, be it poisonous or non-poisonous," he says.
"If a snake enters a home, the resident must close all doors and windows blocking the snake's exit, switch on all lights, call for help and keep a constant watch on the snake's movements from a safe distance," he advises people.
Hailing from Thrissur in Kerala, Mr. Anand came to Visakhapatnam 24 years ago to find work. He began working at `Manikanda parlour', a local food stall, and later opened a small hotel of his own near Hindustan Shipyard Ltd., which was closed down as part of the clean-up operation before the President's visit to the city.
`Snake-catcher' just a call away