Vegetable vendor, 9th Cross/West Park Road, Malleswaram

Four Decades in One Place

My name is Neelamma. I live in Hebbal and come alone by auto because I cannot come with others—they have their own business to attend to. Every morning, I go to the market to buy things to sell here, and I'm able to sell everything since I have many customers who buy from me.

I have been here for the past 40 years.

Shops Built Like Telephone Boxes

I don't like to sit in the shops built by BBMP because they are like boxes with no air—they are built like telephone boxes. Nobody feels like going there. We told the builders not to build the shops in that way and to keep them open, but they didn't have the patience to listen to us at all. They said, "We will build it and you stay where we tell you." It's all empty now because nobody will come searching for us inside. All the vendors sit outside in the open. We have no choice since we have to earn money for a living.

Earlier, it was good and convenient, but this has only happened in the last 10 years. Now the newly built shops are being used as toilets. If one of the engineers comes and stays in that shop for even a day, he will understand the condition we are in. We should tell him, "You sit inside there, and if you find it comfortable, we will also stay there." They do not do things for our convenience—only theirs—and they do whatever they want.

More Inconvenience, Less Business

As for changes in Malleswaram, there are no changes, only more inconveniences. Earlier, we used to do our business well, but now it has become more difficult since we have to deal with the rain and wind, and it becomes harder for all of us. Earlier, customers used to come in search of us, but today, even if we go in their search, it doesn't make a difference. Now, they go to malls or online apps and get items delivered at home—we cannot compete with them. I am a single person, so I cannot get helpers to deliver my items home. I have to carry on my business in some way—there is nothing else I can do. Profit has reduced a lot now.

Education Above All

We are 4 members at home. My husband has expired. I have 2 sons and 2 daughters, and all of them have double degrees. My daughter is married and is in Singapore. I have been to Singapore once and went to 4 countries—Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. I took the help of travel agents, and it was a super trip. They are all good countries to visit, but I still think India is the best place to live. My son is running a hotel, and the other one is working in an office. With my business, I have been able to educate all of them because I didn't want them to do the kind of work I am doing. At that time, I was able to do it, but now it's difficult, though I still have to continue.

I have studied up to SSLC from the Government School here. In those days, private schools were fewer, and my SSLC was equivalent to a degree. All the members of my family—my aunts and uncles—do the same kind of business.

Long Days, Mutual Respect

I like being in Malleswaram, which is why I have been here all these years. People give me respect, but we have to be good before we expect it from others. Nobody troubles us—the only issue is that I have to be here the whole day. I come at 6:30 in the morning and stay here till 9:30 at night. It does make us tired, so sometimes we take a couple of days off. We use the pay-and-use BBMP toilets, and they are quite clean.

I don't know much about Malleswaram because I am used to only this area, and it is my workplace. I buy things from other shops sometimes, but I also buy things online since I must follow what others are doing as well!