Nagpur: This was just a day when their channels were shut down and forced to stay home. Many are concerned about their future and are still restless. While some have to pay monthly installments, some are concerned about their future, because they have to earn every day to keep the family running with a few food vendors and some well-known joints owners about how they would endure this forced vacation until March 31.
“Bhukhmarivirus is not a coronavirus. How are we going to navigate this lockdown? We have a staff of 25-30 and all are on fixed wages. If we don’t earn a penny, we’re going to have to pay their monthly wages out of our own pockets, “said Ramji Pandey, owner of the famous Raamji Shyamji Pohewale operating at Chhatrapati Nagar Square.
Ramji added that they are not a single family of four members, “we do have a single employee family to handle.”Our day starts at 2.30 am when we begin poha preparations. Our store is open at 5 am. Today was our first day of the compulsory holiday, and even a glass of water at home is hard to swallow, “he said.
“Our company was down because people were unnecessarily panicking because of the danger of the virus. Now the complete shut down means the soon everyone will be on the road, “Ramji said.
Chunni Singh, who owns a pav bhaji shop in Dharampeth, spends some time with his family in Udaipur, taking a break from business. He told his employees all day-to-day wagers to come after March 31 for work.
Pawan Kumar of Laxmi Nagar’s New Popular Chat Center is concerned if he should pay his monthly loan installment. “I have a double-wheeler loan with a monthly Rs 5000 installment. I earn and feed my six-family per day, and also save some amount to pay the installment. If I’m not going to work for 15 days, then what will I gain and how can I survive, “Pawan asked.
Rajkumar Patel has a Chinese food stall near Shankar Nagar and an ice gola. When asked about his plans, Patel said, “We have no choice but to handle either way since the government has brought in this law. I have five employees and I’ll have to pay if we decide to keep them. I’ll be at home and have some fun time.
As all is locked, we have nothing to do but I’m going to schedule a short ride. “Manoj Choubey, a Kachipura resident and owner of Shreenath pav bhaji and pulao, added, “If this lock-down isn’t relaxed, my existence is in grave doubt.
I’ve got some money so I can handle stuff for a few days. My staff gets paid regularly and that’s a problem. We won’t get paid without some job and I have serious doubts about their survival as two of them have bought new cell phones on installment.
