Shiv Sena’s executive president Mr. Uddhav Thakarey’s declared intention to form a union of vada-pau vendors needs to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, the media focused on it briefly before it simply vanished without any further debate. That’s the sad part of our society. We tend to harbor prejudices that compel us to predetermine anything that comes from someone we are not mentally aligned to as rubbish before we shrug it off. We are quick, severe and relentless in our criticism of the Shiv Sena on many fronts, but when its executive head is talking some serious business, we laugh it off. When we want to exercise our right to criticize, we must also be prepared to give credit where and when it is due. Thinking about making vada-pau as an organized enterprise is one such initiative that must be applauded and given some serious thought.
I for once, would step forward and congratulate Mr. Uddhav Thakarey for coming up with such a brilliant idea. After all, every street corner in Mumbai has one stall selling this quick-bite. It is so popular among Maharashtrians throughout the state that we can rightly adjudge it as the state food. Almost every household, I am sure, prepares this dish quite often to satisfy their taste buds. Hundreds of thousands eat it and thousands of poor families survive on the business of making them. But mostly all of them are in the informal sector and, more often than not, in the “illegal hawkers” category, and hence vulnerable to all kinds of harassment.
Jr. Thakarey is talking about formalizing and recognizing them as small entrepreneurs. What is wrong in giving it a try?
In an interview in a television channel, Uddhav also talked about his larger vision. The vision to take this Maharashtrian dish beyond Indian shores. “Why not,” he said, “if McDonald’s burger can cross seven seas and become popular here in India, so can our vada-pau in the foreign land.” That’s like exhibiting a great business sense. A well-planned model that takes into consideration legalizing vendors, earmarking place for them, access to credit, quality control, and hygiene standards would benefit both the vendors and the consumers. The project has the potential to lift many from poverty and provide self-employment opportunity to many unemployed youth. However, the success would depend upon how the project is handled. It should be apolitical initiative, and not just yet another political sop. Or else, it will end the same way as “Zhulka Bhakad” project, which is mired in all kind of controversies of political favors, poor quality etc. Mr. Thakarey Jr. should enlist help of all sections of society to come up with a model designed by professionals that takes into account interests of both the vendors and consumers.
Health conscious would argue why I am promoting junk food. But it is already there like McDonald’s burger and any other similar junk food. I am only backing the idea of refining it, making it healthier, or should I say, less junky.
Go ahead Mr. Uddhav Thakarey, give it a sincere try and let aroma of this mouth watering treat cross the seven seas and bring joy to thousands of poor families.
I for once, would step forward and congratulate Mr. Uddhav Thakarey for coming up with such a brilliant idea. After all, every street corner in Mumbai has one stall selling this quick-bite. It is so popular among Maharashtrians throughout the state that we can rightly adjudge it as the state food. Almost every household, I am sure, prepares this dish quite often to satisfy their taste buds. Hundreds of thousands eat it and thousands of poor families survive on the business of making them. But mostly all of them are in the informal sector and, more often than not, in the “illegal hawkers” category, and hence vulnerable to all kinds of harassment.
Jr. Thakarey is talking about formalizing and recognizing them as small entrepreneurs. What is wrong in giving it a try?
In an interview in a television channel, Uddhav also talked about his larger vision. The vision to take this Maharashtrian dish beyond Indian shores. “Why not,” he said, “if McDonald’s burger can cross seven seas and become popular here in India, so can our vada-pau in the foreign land.” That’s like exhibiting a great business sense. A well-planned model that takes into consideration legalizing vendors, earmarking place for them, access to credit, quality control, and hygiene standards would benefit both the vendors and the consumers. The project has the potential to lift many from poverty and provide self-employment opportunity to many unemployed youth. However, the success would depend upon how the project is handled. It should be apolitical initiative, and not just yet another political sop. Or else, it will end the same way as “Zhulka Bhakad” project, which is mired in all kind of controversies of political favors, poor quality etc. Mr. Thakarey Jr. should enlist help of all sections of society to come up with a model designed by professionals that takes into account interests of both the vendors and consumers.
Health conscious would argue why I am promoting junk food. But it is already there like McDonald’s burger and any other similar junk food. I am only backing the idea of refining it, making it healthier, or should I say, less junky.
Go ahead Mr. Uddhav Thakarey, give it a sincere try and let aroma of this mouth watering treat cross the seven seas and bring joy to thousands of poor families.
No comments:
Post a Comment