NEW DELHI:

Ramchet

, a

cobbler

from

Sultanpur

, has been thrust into the limelight after an unexpected visit from

Rahul Gandhi

on July 26, with offers reaching up to Rs 10 lakh for the

footwear

mended by the Congress MP and leader of opposition, but he turned down the deal as he would like to frame the “lucky” footwear.
The brief stopover at Ramchet’s rundown shop near the district court has led to a surge in attention and business offers for the humble cobbler.

Since the visit, Ramchet has been overwhelmed with offers to buy the footwear mended by Rahul Gandhi during his time at the shop.
“People are clicking selfies with me. Rahul Gandhi contacted me. I am getting a lot of calls for that slipper… I have been offered Rs 10 lakhs for that slipper. However, I denied the offer. I will not give that slipper to anyone. I will frame it and preserve it in my shop,” Ramchet said.

Rahul Gandhi’s visit followed his appearance in the Sultanpur MP/MLA court regarding a defamation case involving alleged remarks against Union home minister Amit Shah. During his half-hour visit with Ramchet, Gandhi engaged in conversation about the cobbler’s trade and even attempted stitching a pair of slippers and pasting a shoe. The next day, Rahul sent an electric shoe stitching machine to Ramchet, further aiding his business.
Ramchet’s shop has since become a local attraction, with many flocking to see the now-famous cobbler and his cherished pair of slippers.