A large group of people assemble on the playground at Government Model School in Saidapet.
A middle-aged Ponnammal sits in the middle of the crowd and expertly pours idli batter into the moulds as she keeps a watchful eye on the kuzhambu that is boiling in the corner.
Business at camps
For the past few days, several people have set up small businesses at flood relief camps. For the people in the camp, Ponnammal’s cooking has been providing a little taste of home. Now the camp has a few people selling hot food, a petty goods shop and even a tea stall inside.
Ponnammal said that she had been running a roadside food stall for the past 20 years. “I charge Rs. 15 for an egg dosa, Rs. 5 for an idli, and I am also making chicken kuzhambu and other tiffin items. I lost everything in the floods, At least, this way, I have some income,” she explained.
Kausalya, who runs a stall that sells sweets, chips, eggs and cigarettes, had set up shop outside the school after the November 18 floods.
“Now, I have decided to move it inside,” she said.
Helping in a way
According to Sivagami, who was waiting her turn to have an egg dosa , these small businesses were helping to restore some normality to the residents.
“Now that we can buy some chips or have tea in the evening, it almost feels like life is returning to normal,” she said.
“Many people have been giving us money, and we have been taking loans to replace the things we lost in the floods. These small businesses are a source of relief,” Selvam, another resident said.
