Vegetable vendor, Sampige road

Waiting for the New Market

My name is Rangaswamy, and I have been working as a vendor for 40 years. I was initially at the market inside, but they are building a new one now and have promised to give us a space to sell our items once it is completed. Construction has been going on for quite a while, and we are not sure how much longer it will take—perhaps it should be ready in a year or so. This shop is temporary, and I have been here for around 10 years.

Absolutely Nothing Is the Same

The business isn't like it was before. Competition is high, and people don't come as often as they used to. The market itself has become dull because of everything being available online, and this has affected almost every business. Absolutely nothing is the same as it was before. Sometimes the roads here are empty because people don't come out much anymore—they come outside only to purchase specific items, not daily like they used to, because the quality of products is assumed to be better online.

Divided Businesses, Divided Customers

Traffic has increased, but many shops and malls have come up, making the place crowded. In that sense, businesses have become more divided. Many shops are selling the same items, which is why there is higher competition among them. Thus, divided businesses also bring in divided customers—everything has changed.

It is tough to make a living out of this business. Maintaining the business is hard, and life in general has become difficult in today's times.