STREET VENDORS OF AHMEDABAD
Street vendors of Ahmedabad form a sizable amount of the workforce of the city. They add a certain vibrancy and life to the cityscape. I used to believe that these people lead a life of hardship and sorrow, having to hustle day in and day out to make a living, working on the streets, uncovered and unprotected from the harsh climate of Ahmedabad. But despite this, the nonchalance with which these zany people carry out their daily routine, keeping stock of supplies, catering to a plethora of customers at once, is almost a marvel to behold. After my initial reservations were removed, I was more open to them and tried to capture some natural portraits of them engrossed in work as well as some portraits where they posed for me. On spending some time with them and conversing with them you learn a great lesson of life: contentment. Happiness is a state of mind. You may not acquire it even after amassing unlimited wealth and resources. For these people, happiness can come simply from a stranger coming up to them and asking them to pose for a photograph. They were also very friendly and didn’t take me as an intruder in their work. No doubt they are always “Maja ma!”
