12/10/2025
*Unheard Voices*
Issue No. 119
*Nirmal Das*, proprietor of Das Brothers Footwear, Diphu
TDE: Tell us about your early life.
Nirmal: I was born on 3rd November 1962 at Diphu Town. My parents were Late Suresh Das and Lt. Khalni Prova Das. I have three brothers and 4 sisters.
I do not remember the year, but I started my schooling from Binapani LP School, Diphu Main Market. In those days the school was upto class 10. So, I appeared HSLC exam in 1976, and passed in one attempt, with a third division.
During my school days, I was very interested in football. Spent a lot of time playing with friends. However, my father used to be sick so I had to take care of his shop - Das Brothers – a shop selling both cloths and footwears. It used to be in the place where now the Trends Mall stands. I remember, it was the time when Joysing Doloi Terang was the CEM of KADC.
TDE: When did you begin to take responsibility of Das Brothers?
Nirmal: Our shop is the second-oldest footwear shop in Diphu Market, after Padashree Footwear (now located opposite Trends). My father established the shop (I do not know the exact year). From my schools, I began to assist him in the shop as he used to be sickly. In 1976, after my matric exam, I began my work in the shop with complete responsibility. My father’s health deteriorated and he passed away in 1982. After that, I had to take care of the shop, alone.
Our shop shifted to the present location 1990. The reason was the land Council divided land among several businessmen and the land where our shop stood earlier was allotted to a Gas Agency. We were given nine a certain period to shift. So, I constructed a kutcha house in the present location.
TDE: Who was the guide in your business?
Nirmal: In the early days, my father was my guide. Being new to the work, a few times, I had sold several items at a cheaper price. My father used to be angry at me and would scold me. I used to take those scoldings as his words to guide me and learn from those mistakes. After his demise, it is the experiences from which I learnt.
TDE: Which brands do you sell and where do you bring them from?
Nirmal: We sell on Indian products, not a single item imported from outside the country. We have products of brands like Bata, Relaxa, Parry, Aqualite, United’s and others. We bring all these from Guwahati.
TDE: How do you deal with the loss in your business?
Nirmal: Everyone doing business must be ready to see good days when they will make good profits, and bad days when there will be losses. In my work, the sale sometimes drops a lot. In such tough times, we reduce the quantities of goods in the shop.
TDE: How has online shopping affected your business?
Nirmal: Online shopping and the rise of shopping malls have impacted our sales very deeply. The population in this growing town has increased a lot, but our sales have decreased considerably. Most people prefer to buy from online stores and malls as they have more varieties of goods to choose.
I know that the sales might be increased if we go for online sales. However, that will also increase our work. So, presently, we have no plan to go online.
Nevertheless, I have never thought of my business and sell only footwear. I never wanted to divert my mind to other things. I also felt like I wouldn’t be able to manage.
TDE: What has been the biggest problem of doing business in Diphu?
Nirmal: I haven’t faced many problems in doing business here. Maybe because my business is a small one! In the past, the frequent bandhs and strikes created some trouble not only to me but also to all shopkeepers in the district.
TDE: Which season is the best for the footwear business in Diphu?
Nirmal: In a year, winter, our sales are the highest. It may be due to the cold weather, and also the festivities and several ceremonies like marriages. I observed that most customers here prefer to buy the cheaper goods; the expensive goods have fewer buyers.
TDE: When did you get married? What is your future plan?
Nirmal: I got married in 1995; my wife’s name is Sanchayita Das. I have one son named Bhaskar Das. My young son is also assisting me in the shop now. I want to continue with the same shop and hand over the business to my son.
TDE: What are the good things you see in the new Diphu?
Nirmal: Diphu has changed a lot. I cannot mention other things, but the infrastructure development has changed the face of Diphu. Almost all shops in the Diphu market are now concrete, which is safer. Earlier, when most shops had bamboo walls and wooden frames, there used to be many fire accidents. Once, the entire market complex in the present Trends line was destroyed by fire.
TDE: What is your message to those wishing to enter the footwear business?
Nirmal: One can run a family by doing business. Before starting your own shop, get practice from any shop to get practical knowledge. I got the experience and guidance from my father, which helped me a lot. A few people who earlier worked with me are also having their own shops now and are doing well.
