A Day in the life of Golgappa wala in Mumbai.
Age is small but thinking and hard work is very big, High minded Vishal The Golgappa Wala….
Vishal, a curious child from early age of 7 always keen of knowing his surroundings, watching and learning how his father stalls Golgappa and how he works hard all day. Witnessing his father working hard, Vishal also started to take the responsibility of his family as his father.
Vishal Gupta, today aged 20, running the golgappa’s stall himself. Vishal, now a young and able man following the footsteps of his father and sharing the family responsibilities with him.
Vishal’s father Rakesh Prasad Gupta also did Golgappa’s business since his childhood and still continues. Both father and son carry out the same business but in different locations. Vishal’s own Golgappa stall is located in Jyotirling Nagar, an impoverished community in Mankhurd. And his father’s stall is in the nearby colony of Govandi.
A small size gas-stove, a large cast iron plate over it, in that plate, was halfdone chana masala set out to sides of the plate, Pudina and kothimbir sliced over it, vishal was trying to cook this spice huge, It was very sweet smelling. At the same time Vishal was shaking the water inside his nearby still pot with the help of a big spoon. On the side itself, onion, chilli, coriander are being chopped one and put in a bowl, Next to this is a box of sweet chutney and a packet of many puris. And at the same time vishal is also looking around, for his potential customers and he calls them to eat Golgappa with his high pitched shout outs.
Vishal tells that, “there are poor areas, so people do not come to eat Golgappa, and this fear of covid 19 has sat on everyone’s mind’’.
Due to corona, Vishal also had to spend 5-6 months at home, it was difficult to pay the rent of the house, unable to afford ration at home, had to face all the problems at once.
Vishal studied up to 8th class only, Said that, “could not study due to family problem, “But i will teach my sister and brother a lot’’.
He says that “there are very few customers who come here, there is a liquor store nearby, that is why there is a crowd here in the evening. In the early phase when I set up my stall here, some hooligans came to my stall and made a ruckus and ate Golgappa without paying. When I asked for money, an alcoholic pushed me backwards. But I also did not gave up and stood for myself”. ‘’When I told this story to my mother, she was very scared, and did not let me get out of the house for 2 days”. But now this does not happen, whichever customer comes they give money honestly”.
Vishal earns upto 400-500rs in a day, with his and his father’s combined earning, the house goes without any trouble. He says that “the area is not good, the people are also not good, that’s why women do not come to my stall to eat Golgappas”.
Just a little away from Vishal’s stall is a kebab stall, kebab seller’s name is Irfan. Vishal and Irfan have good friendship… Vishal says that “whenever irfan bhai has to eat Golgappa, he comes to my stall, and brings some kabaab for me as well”. His stall is opposite to the road, there are 2 more shops, one grocery shop and the other is recharge shop. Sometimes the grocery store men talk with vishal.
Vishal said that , “many time my stall was taken away by the municipal corporation, I was not so understanding then, stalls are not allowed here due to the government bring in place. But the government has not given us any other place where we will put up our stall,”…
Whenever Vishal’s stall is taken away by the municipal corporation, he has to fill the acknowledgment of 2400 rupees. Only after this vishal get his stall back. But he also says that, “They Used to catch me earlier, but now whenever a municipal committee comes, I know from the people around me, I hide my stall , so it is saved from damage”… “Sometimes some policemen also come, to collect 300 rupees weekly”.
Vishal is one such person in whom patience, calmness and respect for his work, He is a boy with a huge heart just like his name. He now also work as a mechanic post in part time for railways… he has learned a lot at such a young age.
He says, “I have got this skill to learn for my father, my father is very hardworking…”. “Being the elder son of the house, I also have to be hardworking and honest like my father”…..
Vishal is very hardworking at such a young age, and thinks a lot for his family. He’s courage is very strong, if he keeps thinking like this and keeps working hard, then vishal will surely become a successful man one day.
This story has been covered by Komal Reddy of SNDT Women's University, Mumbai.