Amid bone-chilling cold, how roadside vendors earn livelihood in Srinagar

Srinagar, Jan 7: Amid bone-chilling temperature, many vendors working in summer capital head to their homes in various states. However, for 45-year-old Manish, the story is entirely different.

Manish, who hails from Bihar and sells refreshing ice creams in summer, switches to another trade instead of going home. He says, given the climate in Srinagar, he sells hot peanuts, chickpea, popcorn, corn and peas. These days he has set his cart near LD Hospital

“I have been in Srinagar for the last two decades. I keep switching from being a seller of these snacks in winter, to selling ice creams in summer. The business is good and that is why hundreds of vendors from various places of the country come to Srinagar to sell these things. I seldom go home as I have to keep striving for my six member family, including my elderly parents,” he said.

These vendors selling, snacks like Gol Gappay, fruits and juices in summer in Srinagar. They said winter provides varied business opportunities that they avail. There are many who do menial jobs like construction work and other things during summer.

“As the winter arrives, construction work slows down, and there is no work.   Many from outside Kashmir, including me, sell warm socks, caps, and gloves instead of going home. I am associated with construction work mostly during summers, and in winter, instead of going back, I switch my job,” said Mumtaz, from Uttar Pradesh.

Vendors like Netrapal Kuswa, from Kasganj district of Uttar Pradesh, sell cotton candies in the Amira Kadal area of the city centre. A full-time farmer back home in summer, he travels around 1000 Km every year and reaches Srinagar to sell cotton candies. He says many of his relatives and friends who don’t have farmland back home, come to Srinagar for winter only.

“I have been working in Srinagar for the past decade. I have also worked in states like Punjab and Rajasthan, but I found this place most feasible. People are good here, and everyone is able to earn a decent amount. I sometimes stay back in Srinagar for short periods in summer and sell other snacks and do other menial work. In the major part of summer, I travel back home and look after my farmland there. However, in December, I will arrive again for two months, only to sell cotton candy,” Kuswa said.

He said that he earns Rs 15000 to 18000 per month from selling cotton candies. “It is of great help to support the education of six kids, all of whom study back home.”

Raju, another young vendor, sells popcorn in the heart of Lal Chowk. He has been coming to Kashmir for the past few years. Another job switcher in the market, Raju, prefers being a juice and ice cream seller during summer.

“I am not married yet but have to support my family. So I am trying my luck with whatever I get my hands on. Selling go-to warm snacks like popcorn is the best thing during winter. On an average, I earn 600-700 rupees per day which is of great help to my family,” he said.

Most of the vendors whom this reporter spoke to credited the nice nature of people and good sales as the reason for them working in Srinagar throughout the year. They said the lack of job opportunities back home also compels them to work in Srinagar.