Carving a livelihood at traffic signals

Their target is usually children. They sell several products, some toys and some essentials. They are continuously on the prowl and often look out for people with a fat purse. Wondering who they are? These are a group of people belonging to the Lambada tribe who have migrated from Tonk district in Rajasthan to Hyderabad in search of a livelihood.

Despite cut-throat competition from local shopkeepers, they sell various products at traffic signals like funky caps, bubble bottles, car window covers, massagers, mosquito bats and umbrellas among others.Their shops are not stationed and they mostly find customers at traffic signals.

"On the best of days, each one of us earns a minimum of up to Rs 1,000. But it is taxing at the end of the day as we keep moving about continuously to sell items at signals," says Ram Bhai who operates at Jubilee Check Post. "But we regularly squabble with the police," chips in Hans Raj. "Police caution us not to block traffic most of the times," he adds.

But why did the tribals migrate and how do they operate? "Back home, many people suggested that Hyderabad is good for business and hence we migrated here," explains Nanu Lal. They travel once a month to New Delhi and get the products to Hyderabad. They choose those items which suit the season and the ones that are new to the market.

Bangi Lal, a vendor at Hitex, says, “Monsoon is a good time for business where we sell umbrellas.” Indeed there are many takers for the products being sold. "They take pains in selling the products in hot sun. I would buy to support their livelihood," says a techie Teja Sai T.

"When our sales are down, we go to our native and pursue farming," says Nanu Lal, another vendor at Hitex. "We look forward for help from government. Instead of selling products by running behind people at traffic signals, we hope that shops are provided to us," Mahindra, a vendor at Hitex hoped.

By:Divya Vallabhaneni