During the pandemic and the lockdown, our hearts went out to the migrant workers who were suddenly rendered jobless and had to walk home. There was another group of people who suffered greatly but never quite got the public attention or sympathy they deserved.
Street vendors are at the bottom of the food pyramid. They barely make enough money to feed their families, and they are constantly harassed and shaken down by the police and municipal authorities. The vast majority of them are not in this sector for love. They do it because, in an economy where employment options are limited, they have no choice.
So, even though we like to say that the reason India has some of the world's best street food is because of a glorious tradition, it may be more accurate to say that it is also because of necessity.
Each year the National Association of Street Vendors (NASVI) organises a street-food festival in Delhi. Hundreds of vendors travel to Delhi to show off their food. It is, for me at least, the foodie event of the year, and as time has gone on, I have become more and more involved in it. And my friend Sameer Sain (whose views on the contribution of vendors to Indian food are as passionate as mine) has put his own money into helping the festival and financing awards for the best vendors.
Denne historien er fra March 25, 2023-utgaven av Brunch.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 25, 2023-utgaven av Brunch.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Is It Scrolling Or Screening?
Being on the phone while the TV plays is the new normal. Just don't do it when there's company. A case for what it means to be present
This week, we're...
Preferring the spinoff.
The newest tricks in the book
Time is money. Here are the best hacks for saving precious seconds and taking even your everyday feed to the next level
Snuffing out the flames
Has online dating peaked? People are ditching the apps, going old-school, and aiming for IRL connections. Here's how the swipe failed a whole generation
Off the eaten path
In hotels, cafes and home kitchens cooks are getting creative with food waste. Tomato skins show up in a cake, fat flavours broths, peels have fresh appeal. Of course, we're cheering this change
Glamming up your getaway
Every island in the Maldives is stunning. So how do resorts offer a luxury upgrade? At Cheval Blanc it's by elevating every experience-food, service, spa and beyond
Benefits with friends
Of course it's harder to make friends as we grow older. Responsibilities, increase, time is short. Luckily, we have our tribes
A portrait to reflect upon
Playing with lighting and layering, a young Amrita Sher-Gil depicted herself as bold, mischievous, and enigmatic - all at once
Keep your trope shut
A divided world, a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a prophecy, a burden too heavy for a young adult. 10 YA dystopian cliches to vanquish in battle.
Sanjeeda Shaikh
Actor, @IAmSanjeeda