This Gandhi accepts GPay: Meet Marina Beach’s living Mahatma
Nehemia Koche, a 68-year-old street performer, earns a living at Chennai's Marina Beach by dressing up as Mahatma Gandhi. He uses silver body paint and even accepts digital payments via GPay to support his family.
Why it matters
The story highlights the intersection of traditional street performance and modern digital financial inclusion in India's informal economy.
The Marina Beach in Chennai comes alive on weekends. Even as the smells of sundal and bajji waft through the air, eager children pester parents so they can ride a horse, or shoot balloons. Others prefer to silently gaze at the sea or the statues.
Not too far from the landmark Gandhi Statue at this beach stands another statue - except this one moves occasionally. Meet Nehemia Koche, who is now 68. He is a regular these days to the beach during weekend evenings, but he cannot afford to indulge in bajjis or games.
That is because Nehemia Koche is Gandhi. Using silver body paint, which he applies for about half hour, Nehemia arrives at the Marina Beach every weekend and stands. He is mostly as still as a statue, but he does occasionally stretch his legs or salute the curious passers-by.
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