The Tasty Market

The Sun over head with moderately crowded streets and the working people, often seen with sweat drops on their face marks the regular working day time into the streets of Saqlaini area. People are involved in diverse jobs like hawking and other traditional employable options. Out of these, the snacks corners attract high frequency population. In India it could be small enterprise with numerous entrepreneurs!

It’s the bread and butter that force people to come out and try different occupations. Some are traditional workers like rickshaw pullers, labors, servants, electricians, vendors, etc. But there are no less people who have taken up their business to new heights with the “change is constant” concept. This marks the presence of showrooms in the constrained streets.

My journey began on the rickshaw, who agreed to cover up 1.5 km with a fellow partner with me, for just Rs.5 each. ? My rickshaw-puller had won me and the other fellow after competing with other co-workers, to take us in afternoon with Sun overhead. This fellow partner was unknown to me as this is how they conduct their business, and earn. The street was filled with shops, some permanent while some still temporary. May be this show the earning level of the shopkeeper?

This was a Muslim majority area hence the culture in streets was matching that of the Muslim community. There were many mosques, each having same structure but differ in design. Most of them were decorated with colorful tiles and marbles on ground. These people look like the busy ones so they have bought the God near them!

The presence of Zari-Zardosi and surma shops reminded me of the most famous in-hand skill of the people of Bareilly. As the mobile users have increased so is the no. of recharge, download, and repair shops. The paan corners that sell cigarette, gutkha, etc. have also seen an increase. The market has many garments and other fancy items shops like jewelry, make-up kits etc. In the noon, the vendors serve breakfast and rice. The evening time shifts the public to the kewab and Non-vegetarian restaurants, which were really awesome.

Out of all these shops few caught my special attention. Like a TV mechanic keeping egg trays to sell on the counter. A lassi corner owner had indicated that he also book orders for marriages/parties. Seems like, irrespective of their education, they know how to promote their brand. I was confused whether to call the zari centre, a shop or a showroom? They were well versed with everything that makes up a showroom. They had ACs, glass doors, and wonderful displays.

Another thing that caught my awareness was that almost every residence had a shop and the residents used to live at the first or even second floor. It was not hard to find a whole complex build up.

Among all the things, how can I forget to mention the great Indian roads? But one may easily be lost in the crowd and the self-sufficient market that has producers, suppliers, and consumers too. This place has everything that a common man needs- fruits, daily need items, mechanic, labor, restaurant, etc.

All of it may be a hotchpotch for a new person but it really is not. The people have a cultural bonding and a social understanding with each other. That’s why with a little understanding, one can see the cohesion among the people. But I still missed the view of the streets when the Azaan goes on and at the festive season!!!