Journalism of Courage
As they delve into the deep sea for their daily catch,a few fishermen across the coastal line look for more than just their seize. The exotic and naturally stippled shelter left behind by mollusks also forms a part of their grab to be deposited with the one who has been collecting them for the last 35 years.
With an assortment of over 1,600 shells from all over the world,Anand Shinde possesses the rarest of this marine wealth. I was fond of this ever since childhood. While others would go mountaineering and trekking I would prefer the seashore and it started from there,amassing them in various forms sizes and patterns. Eventually I started traveling widely,living with the fishermen for months and developed a network that has got me this treasure. Many shells are from abroad that have been collected by the fishermen through their associations, adds Shinde.
Spending almost two months in a year across the shores,Shinde has also been consistently researching them on various aspects. Also,if he owns multiple ones belonging to the same category they are provided to labs and colleges. Shinde also conducts hobby workshops for primary students and project report workshops for secondary students under the EVS curriculum. Adding on their existance he adds,Unfortunately in India nothing is left primarily because of the chemical pollution. My collection is from all over the world. The best shells are found in the Caribbean Sea. They hold huge demand and the market price can go anywhere,they are simply priceless.
