In the bustling lanes of Fort, where office-goers, students, and tourists pass by in a hurry, one humble cart has stood the test of time. For over 25 years, Raja Husain and his brother have sold freshly roasted peanuts and chickpeas from this very spot — their lorry bringing warmth, nutrition, and familiarity to the street.But behind the crackling peanuts lies a tougher reality.
Raja and his brother, who both live in Vashi Naka, Mumbai, share a single stall between them to earn their livelihood. It’s their only source of income. They take turns manning it from 10 AM to 7:30 PM, trying to make ends meet. And while a second stall or lorry could double their income and help both brothers work at the same time — bureaucratic red tape and lack of permits keep them from growing.
“Kaash humein ek aur lorry mil jaati… ya kam se kam BMC ka permit mil jaata… toh har baar authorities ke aane par saman samet kar bhaagna nahi padta.”
(If we could just get another setup… or even a BMC permit… we wouldn’t have to pack up and run every time the authorities come.)
Imagine having your life’s work — your only way of earning — suddenly disrupted just because you don’t have paperwork that’s hard to access in the first place.
Let’s make sure vendors like Raja-ji aren’t punished for working honestly.
Let’s create space, not erase it, for those who earn their living with pride.
