Tales from the streets
Welcome the "Tales from the Streets," in today's series, we bring you the stories of the hardworking and resilient people who make up the vibrant communities of Bangalore. In this blog, we bring the inspiring story of a local fruit vendor and the widow lady selling eggs, who migrated to the city with nothing but hope and determination to build a better life for themselves and their family.
Meet Abdul, a warm and friendly man who can be found selling his fresh and juicy fruits on the bustling streets of Peenya, Bangalore. But life wasn't always this way for Abdul. Abdul was born and brought up in a small village in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu, but his mother tongue is Malayalam, Tamil Nadu was the place where he grew up in poverty and struggled to make ends meet. He speaks multiple languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and a little bit of English However, he and his family never lost optimism and always dreamed of a better life
One day, Abdul and his family decided to take the plunge and move to Bangalore in search of better opportunities. He arrived in the city with just a few hundred rupees in his pocket and no job or place to stay. But he was determined to make it work.
His bother first started a fruit selling journey and later Abdul participated in the journey as a fruit vendor by renting a small cart and buying some fruits from the wholesale market. He would wake up early in the morning and spend hours on the streets, trying to sell to the busy passersby. However, it was not an easy journey. The competition was fierce, and he struggled to make enough money to support himself and his family.
Despite the challenges, Abdul remained optimistic and persevered. He knew that he had to work hard and earn the trust of his customers. Slowly but surely, he began to build a loyal customer base, who appreciated the quality of his fruits and his friendly and warm demeanor.
Over time, Abdul's income began to increase. He was able to invest in a bigger cart and a wider variety of fruits, which attracted even more customers. He even started to save some money and sent some back to his family in his hometown.
However, just when things were starting to look up for Abdul, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The city was put under a strict lockdown, and Abdul could not sell his fruits for several weeks. He was worried about how he would make ends meet and support his family during these uncertain times. Customers began to use online apps to buy fruits. But once again, Abdul refused to give up. He used his savings to buy some essential groceries and started selling them door-to-door to his loyal customers. He even started taking orders over the phone and delivering them to his customers' homes. He took all the necessary precautions to keep himself and his customers safe, and slowly but surely, his business started to pick up again.
Today, Abdul is a successful fruit vendor with a thriving business. He has expanded his cart to include a variety of fruits such as dragon fruit and kiwi and drinks, and his customers always rave about the quality of his products and his friendly service. He has even hired a few helpers to assist him during the busy hours. Abdul's story is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and optimism. Despite facing numerous challenges, he refused to give up and was able to build a successful business from scratch. His story is a source of inspiration for all of us, reminding us that with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic, anything is possible.
Chiappa is a 76-year-old widow who has been selling eggs in the streets for as long as she can remember. It was a tough job, but she had no other means of making a living. She woke up early every morning, before the sun rose, to go to the nearest Peenya farmhouse to buy fresh eggs to sell. She would then load them into a basket and carry them on her head as she walked the streets, calling out to potential customers, but now she is old, she cannot carry the basket in her head, so she sits near the platinum city. It was a hard life, but Maria never complained. She was a widow. Her husband had died in a car accident a few years ago, and since then, she had been struggling to make ends meet. Selling eggs was the only thing she knew how to do, and it was a job that required little capital to start.
But it was not an easy job. The competition was fierce, nobody likes to buy the open eggs she complains that every egg consumer only buys packed eggs from the supermarket. She sells one egg for Rs 7, whereas in the supermarket, the egg costs 10 rs. Still, she faces difficulty selling eggs. Chinappa had to wake up early to get to the market before everyone else so she could get the best eggs at the best price. She would then have to walk for hours, carrying the heavy basket on her head, trying to sell as many eggs as possible. Usually, chinampa would return home with only a few rs in her Hand. It was barely enough to buy food, and if we talk about today's condition, she finds it difficult to buy food for herself nowadays. there is one shop nearby that feeds her. She blessed them and thanked their family.
Street vendors are an integral part of many societies, particularly in developing countries where they often form the backbone of the informal economy., Street vendors are often marginalized and face numerous challenges in their daily operations. Among the most vulnerable street vendors are egg and fruit sellers, who often struggle to make a living due to various economic
and social factors.
How Local vendors contribute to society
These local vendors are often among the poorest members of society, lacking access to formal employment and social security. By purchasing their products, we contribute to their livelihoods and help them sustain themselves and their families. Moreover, many of these vendors are women, who face even greater economic and social challenges due to gender inequality. Therefore, supporting egg and fruit vendors can also contribute to gender equality by providing women with economic opportunities.
Secondly, supporting local vendors promotes food security. These vendors sell fresh, locally-sourced produce, which is often healthier and more affordable than imported produce. By supporting local vendors, we can help to create a sustainable food system that benefits both producers and consumers. Furthermore, these vendors often sell in low-income areas where access to fresh produce is limited. By providing affordable and healthy options, they help to address food insecurity in these communities.
Thirdly, local vendors promote economic development. These vendors often operate in informal markets, which are not recognized or regulated by the government. This lack of formal recognition means that these vendors do not have access to financial services, legal protection, or other forms of support. We can help formalize their operations, which can lead to greater economic growth and development. Moreover, many of these vendors have the potential to expand their operations and become small business owners, creating jobs and contributing to the local economy.
Last but not least, supporting local vendors promotes social inclusion. These vendors are often members of marginalized communities, such as refugees, migrants, and low-income households. By supporting their businesses, we can help to integrate these communities into the broader society. Furthermore, by purchasing from street vendors, we can help to break down social barriers and build connections between different members of society.
Thank you for giving your time to the "Tales from the Streets." blog. If you enjoyed listening to Abdul and Chinappa's podcast, please share it with your friends and family. We'll be back soon with more inspiring stories from the streets of Bangalore.
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