Underdogs of the value chain

International Hawkers Day celebrates the grassroots of an age-old vending style

May 26, 2017 12:00 am | Updated 12:00 am IST

HYDERABAD, 05/05/2008: A hawker who migrated from Uttar Pradesh, carrying colorful artificial flowers on a hot day of summer in Hyderabad, since the flowers are in huge demand in the city during marriage season.
Photo: Mohammed Yousuf 05-05-2008

HYDERABAD, 05/05/2008: A hawker who migrated from Uttar Pradesh, carrying colorful artificial flowers on a hot day of summer in Hyderabad, since the flowers are in huge demand in the city during marriage season. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf 05-05-2008

With the rise of the organic consciousness, the position of hawkers has plummeted down the value chain, and they have become more of a nuisance than a necessity.

International Hawkers Day, celebrated on May 26, commemorates an age-old industry which celebrates sustainable consumerism, but the general attitude associated with buying from a hawker comprises of a disgusted and somewhat mortified expression and an inner fear of acquiring every microbacterial infection under the sun.

Earlier this year, GHMC along with Urban Community Development (UCD) organised the city into 40 vending zones earlier this year; the attempt to regulate the vending was aimed to hamper the congestion, and the visual and noise pollution while avoiding the destruction of livelihoods.

Due to the treatment they’ve received from administrative forces over the years, hawkers have unionised themselves to protect their rights.

Landmark marts

One of the most famous vending areas in the city is Gudimalkapur Market in Ushodaya Colony which is open in the early mornings, filled with fresh produce from Ranga Reddy district. This makes up the majority of these sellers’ profits. Usually swarming with eager buyers, this market has thrived relentlessly and will continue to do so.

Hitech City dwellers’ proverbial watering hole is the Rythu Bazaar in Mehdipatnam. The spectrum of fresh seafood, as well as puja items such as fresh flowers and lamps keep the market buzzing until you can hear only crickets in the night.

Charminar is also host to a proudly intergenerational span of vendors, selling anything one can think of: bangles, toys, produce and clothing. While most of what they sell aren’t sustainable, they remain a vital microcosm of the city’s vast trading system.

City as a backbone

Cultural centres around the city such as Our Sacred Space and Lamakaan host hawker markets which are frequented and endorsed by city dwellers much to the vendors delights.

Additionally, there are prominent organisations such as Aranya Agriculture Alternatives, which continue to influence farming methods while giving vendors the freedom to be self-sufficient.

By ushering these farmers and vendors into this new-age production, it gives them the scope to charge more due to a product’s increase in inherent value.

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