Bangalore has just had its array of fairs recently like Kadalekai parishe, Bellitheru etc. Everyone enjoys these colourful and lively events. Celebration and joy are in the air wherever you look.
But if you try to take some time to observe a bit beyond the colourful stalls, you will notice the ugly truth raising its head. The lives of those vendors, who are responsible for making these events colourful, is completely colourless. With the popularity of these fairs slowly increasing, there is a growing competition among the vendors to put up their stalls (on the foot paths) much in advance to the events. Having come from poor backgrounds, they lack basic sanitation facilities. Until the fair ends, they eat, drink, sleep and literally live on the pavements. Their little ones will not even have proper clothing to cover their bodies completely. It is a pathetic scene altogether.
This blog is a humble effort from my end to throw some light on the poor living condition of these vendors through some photographs.
It was a day to appease the bull god. While the stone bull was getting worshipped (in the bull temple), this living bull was being harassed by its owner to make a living for herself. The people around turned a blind eye to it.
At an age where this boy has to play with colourful toys, he has to contend himself playing with a measure.
Kids enjoying blowing the bubbles without realising that their future is like a bubble. Some of them don't even have proper clothes to cover themselves completely
Vendors eat, drink and sleep on the footpaths itself. Footpaths literally become their home till the fairs end.
A vendor's family sharing a light moment ...
Two siblings happily playing by the roadside while their grandmother looks on ...
Boys and girls like him have to sacrifice their education to contribute to their family's economy.
Customers bargain endlessly with poor vendors but they don't mind paying hefty sums for things that they buy from the shopping malls.
Pavement is the bed for this little girl.
If you have come till here, thanks for spending time to go through the blog! My sincere request with you is if you happen to go to such fairs, please do carry some clothes that are in good condition to these poor people and do not bargain with them. Let us be socially responsible citizens.
But if you try to take some time to observe a bit beyond the colourful stalls, you will notice the ugly truth raising its head. The lives of those vendors, who are responsible for making these events colourful, is completely colourless. With the popularity of these fairs slowly increasing, there is a growing competition among the vendors to put up their stalls (on the foot paths) much in advance to the events. Having come from poor backgrounds, they lack basic sanitation facilities. Until the fair ends, they eat, drink, sleep and literally live on the pavements. Their little ones will not even have proper clothing to cover their bodies completely. It is a pathetic scene altogether.
This blog is a humble effort from my end to throw some light on the poor living condition of these vendors through some photographs.
It was a day to appease the bull god. While the stone bull was getting worshipped (in the bull temple), this living bull was being harassed by its owner to make a living for herself. The people around turned a blind eye to it.
At an age where this boy has to play with colourful toys, he has to contend himself playing with a measure.
Kids enjoying blowing the bubbles without realising that their future is like a bubble. Some of them don't even have proper clothes to cover themselves completely
Vendors eat, drink and sleep on the footpaths itself. Footpaths literally become their home till the fairs end.
A vendor's family sharing a light moment ...
Two siblings happily playing by the roadside while their grandmother looks on ...
Boys and girls like him have to sacrifice their education to contribute to their family's economy.
Customers bargain endlessly with poor vendors but they don't mind paying hefty sums for things that they buy from the shopping malls.
Pavement is the bed for this little girl.
A lady in her twilight years forced to earn her own living
If you have come till here, thanks for spending time to go through the blog! My sincere request with you is if you happen to go to such fairs, please do carry some clothes that are in good condition to these poor people and do not bargain with them. Let us be socially responsible citizens.
Good one.
ReplyDeleteThanks Seema!
Deletewell depicted, i see your point. I hope this time we all could be more considerate. i like you 4th picture a lot. I see your point when you say, how we bargain with poor street vendors and sheepishly pay at the feet of big brands.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tilak for visiting the blog!
DeleteThe dark side of the fair very well depicted. You're suggestions well taken
ReplyDeleteThe dark side of the fair very well depicted. You're suggestions well taken
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr.Kakade!
Delete