Street entrepreneur
What shall we call him, a street entrepreneur?
His story?
Comes from a nearby village. Not everyday. Days he is here, he must sell all he brings with him. Careful businessman at start of the day, but turns into an almost desperate seller in the evening. Before he leaves, he empties his produce – if any left – with the bigger sharks on the street. Someone’s loss is always someone else’s bargain.
Try as hard as you would, you can’t explain encroachment and eviction to him. I wouldn’t try either, for I know he doesn’t know that language, and it is unfair to expect him to. Why should he?
I appreciate him for the honest hard work he puts into his business. Though I wish real entrepreneurs like him got more support to grow their businesses.
2 lines strike me:
” you can’t explain encroachment and eviction to him ” and ” Why should he?”
Thats correct as even for that small space on the footpath, certain interested parties in ‘uniform’ take their daily / weekly / fortnightly or monthly ‘mamool’ from him! Hence, he feels he’s obliged to stay!
You are so on the dot Ravi. That is what I meant by “unfair”.
People say guys like this one don’t pay taxes. Well, he does pay, but the money doesn’t reach govt’s coffers. From his point of view, he is an honest hardworking businessman. And so are us all, doing the ‘honest’ things in our own domains :)
Can only think of the grameen bank. What progress!