A few more rupees on I- Day

For the street vendors in the city, Independence Day means few extra rupees

“True independence is when one’s stomach is full. I don’t really care. What matters is we make a few extra rupees before and that too on Independence Day,” says, Rihana, a migrant from Bihar who sells plastic flags at Paradise.

While corporate houses, schools, government offices and others celebrate Independence Day with gusto and patriotic fervour, on Hyderabad’s streets, it is just another day of work to make both ends meet.

Every street vendor has a story of hardship and Independence Day means nothing at all. Mallick, another migrant at Jubilee Hills Check Post says that he usually sells car accessories but for the last three days he has been selling I-Day flag and stickers.

“If we spot children in a car we are sure of sales. Adults do not care much. It is the children who pester parents to buy,” he explains.

Wrist bands too are popular. An eight-year-old was seen selling wrist bands at Somajiguda.

He said, “I usually earn Rs 150-200 a day but I sold Rs 300 worth goods in the last couple of days due to Independence Day.”