Horrific lives of ‘chana’ Hawkers
In this age of political uncertainties and economic downturn, where Ms.Gandhi ruled India with an iron fist and people walked backwards, there are also some cavemen – in caves – who do not recognize the risks and details involved in “chana-mix” business.
Most (many many) cavemen feel that life of a ‘chana’ hawker is spicy and yummy – a life with no worries and peppered with assorted types of chic spices.
Yes, it is true that “chana-mix” hawkers have instant access to a dash of salt, mustard oil, onion, puffed rice, sliced tomatoes, coriander leaves, chilies and, of course, chickpeas. But, one should also note that “chana-mix” business is a trade so dangerous that if you dare to venture out without wearing armour, you have 100% chance of getting flattened by a speeding truck, while pushing the pushcart on the roadside.
At present, it is one of the most dangerous professions known to man.
“It’s a lethal profession,” says “chana-mix” trader, Bhola, who always aspired to be a nuclear scientist but couldn’t fulfill his wishes because he sniffed adhesives and did needle drugs during his school days.
For “chana” hawkers this is a grand tradition that was passed down from generation to generation.
The life of a ‘chana’ hawkers wasn't always risky as now.
Back in the late 80s, the hawkers were humble folks, who catered their foodstuff to almost every corner in town without fear.
Everybody loved them. Everybody enjoyed hot and spicy “chana”.
The “chana” pushcart was then the happening place to be.
During those years, these hawkers lived larger than life lives. They threw huge beer parties, distributed (chana) leftovers to unsuspecting children, smoked hashish, partied all night, roamed the town fearlessly and lived in an inebriated state 24/7 as if they were attending a Road Show cum something.
The hawker enjoyed the money and the people enjoyed “chana-mix”. It was a like a relationship made in heaven, much like Devisingh Shekhawat and Pratibha Patil.
Hawkers ruled the roads and pavements like it was their private property. Everything was good then.
However, something unthinkable occurred. Their future started to appear dark and cloudy like the surging of deadly tsunami.
“Chana-mix” sale plummeted, attendance stared to decline, and soon all hawkers across town were looking pale like intestinal parasites.
All “chana-mix” hawkers then were left jobless because they were less qualified for other jobs. Most of them had never employed in any profession besides few skills in severe rum drinking and pushing carts.
The reason for the decline or shutting down of multi-crore rupees business was emergence of cell phones, internet and social networking sites. Because, people no longer moved out of their homes as they preferred to stay indoors and upload home-made videos on youtube, metacafe, dailymotion, digg and facebook.
Some social thinkers and NGOs have attributed this business decline to sudden rise of rock music, without providing any clear reason.
Others claim there was lack of salt in “chana-mix”. Some say it was due to over-exposure to French fries, ice-cream and reality TV shows.
Whatever the reason, the public swiftly forgot about chana men and began to concentrate on other, utterly nonsense, stuffs such as posting one’s personal toiletry details on twitter, facebook and other disgusting social sites.
“I loved my job, I really did,” said Bhola as he wiped off his tears and took out adhesive (to sniff of course).
“My life has become like an exploded balloon,” he says and overstates that adhesive was the only thing that has saved him from cruel society.
Regardless of years of hardships and torment, with no achievement impending, Bhola is still optimistic to rebuild his vast “chana-mix” empire brick by brick.
Most (many many) cavemen feel that life of a ‘chana’ hawker is spicy and yummy – a life with no worries and peppered with assorted types of chic spices.
Yes, it is true that “chana-mix” hawkers have instant access to a dash of salt, mustard oil, onion, puffed rice, sliced tomatoes, coriander leaves, chilies and, of course, chickpeas. But, one should also note that “chana-mix” business is a trade so dangerous that if you dare to venture out without wearing armour, you have 100% chance of getting flattened by a speeding truck, while pushing the pushcart on the roadside.
At present, it is one of the most dangerous professions known to man.
“It’s a lethal profession,” says “chana-mix” trader, Bhola, who always aspired to be a nuclear scientist but couldn’t fulfill his wishes because he sniffed adhesives and did needle drugs during his school days.
For “chana” hawkers this is a grand tradition that was passed down from generation to generation.
The life of a ‘chana’ hawkers wasn't always risky as now.
Back in the late 80s, the hawkers were humble folks, who catered their foodstuff to almost every corner in town without fear.
Everybody loved them. Everybody enjoyed hot and spicy “chana”.
The “chana” pushcart was then the happening place to be.
During those years, these hawkers lived larger than life lives. They threw huge beer parties, distributed (chana) leftovers to unsuspecting children, smoked hashish, partied all night, roamed the town fearlessly and lived in an inebriated state 24/7 as if they were attending a Road Show cum something.
The hawker enjoyed the money and the people enjoyed “chana-mix”. It was a like a relationship made in heaven, much like Devisingh Shekhawat and Pratibha Patil.
Hawkers ruled the roads and pavements like it was their private property. Everything was good then.
However, something unthinkable occurred. Their future started to appear dark and cloudy like the surging of deadly tsunami.
“Chana-mix” sale plummeted, attendance stared to decline, and soon all hawkers across town were looking pale like intestinal parasites.
All “chana-mix” hawkers then were left jobless because they were less qualified for other jobs. Most of them had never employed in any profession besides few skills in severe rum drinking and pushing carts.
The reason for the decline or shutting down of multi-crore rupees business was emergence of cell phones, internet and social networking sites. Because, people no longer moved out of their homes as they preferred to stay indoors and upload home-made videos on youtube, metacafe, dailymotion, digg and facebook.
Some social thinkers and NGOs have attributed this business decline to sudden rise of rock music, without providing any clear reason.
Others claim there was lack of salt in “chana-mix”. Some say it was due to over-exposure to French fries, ice-cream and reality TV shows.
Whatever the reason, the public swiftly forgot about chana men and began to concentrate on other, utterly nonsense, stuffs such as posting one’s personal toiletry details on twitter, facebook and other disgusting social sites.
“I loved my job, I really did,” said Bhola as he wiped off his tears and took out adhesive (to sniff of course).
“My life has become like an exploded balloon,” he says and overstates that adhesive was the only thing that has saved him from cruel society.
Regardless of years of hardships and torment, with no achievement impending, Bhola is still optimistic to rebuild his vast “chana-mix” empire brick by brick.
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