This summer, the popular vacation destination is not only invaded by tourists from various parts of the country and abroad but also by hawkers from different places who join the local hawkers in making hay.
The roads leading to popular scenic spots such as the Government Botanical Garden (GBG),the Ooty Lake and Doddabetta Peak are crowded with tourists and hawkers. In the process the soundscape of the areas has become interesting to observe.
Among such temporary business spots, the road leading to the GBG is the most coveted as out of an annual inflow of about 21 to 22 lakhs, on an average nine to ten lakh tourists use it between March and May alone.
On offer are a variety of items including toys, trinkets, clothes, fruits, carrots, candies, tea, home made chocolates and flowers. With the hawkers speaking in different languages and resorting to a variety of means to catch the eye of the tourists, the road wears a crowded and busy look from early in the morning till late in the evening particularly during this season. Pointing out that Ooty is a good source of livelihood especially during this season, Amit Singh a seasonal hawker from Bihar who sells toy helicopters and guitars along with a few of his friends told The Hindu that the majority of his customers are from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Despite the hard bargaining by many of the tourists, they are able to earn enough for their food and accommodation and for their families back in Patna. Another hawker from Bihar, Durga Shaw said that he has been coming here for the last three years and regretted that they are unwelcome as far as the local hawkers are concerned.
Some of the local hawkers contended that they depended on the earnings during the summer to see them through the rest of the year. Hence it was only natural to view warily competition from outside during the season.
