The Street Hawker

A hawker is a common figure in a country like India. We can see him in cities, towns and in villages. A hawker moves from one place to another. He sells different articles of everyday use. He carries the goods in a basket over his head or in a cart pushed by hands. Sometimes he gives a loud cry in musical tone to draw the attention of the buyers. He goes from one street to another to sell goods.

A hawker sells different things like eatables, vegetables, utensils, fruits, clothes, etc. Some sell household articles like brooms, brushes, doormats, etc. Some hawkers also sell cosmetics and artificial ornaments. Usually, the hawkers in the morning sell vegetables, fruits, fragrance sticks, brooms, brushes, etc. The hawkers who sell cosmetics, artificial jewelries and clothes usually come during the mid-day. They have, therefore, good sale because the women are mostly free from their household tasks by that time. Some hawkers move on bicycle from street to street or from village to village to sell different articles and goods.

There are other types of hawkers also. They sell nothing but buy things. They move from neighbourhood to neighbourhood and buy waste articles like empty bottles, old newspapers, magazines, books, plastic and tin containers, broken household items, etc. They buy these items from house to house. They, in turn, sell them for recycling. Such hawkers do good service to society. They take away our useless items and offer us some money.

The hawker also sells eatables. Normally they do not take care of cleanliness. Sometimes they sell stale and unclean items. They do not cover their eatables. Flies and dust settle on them. Such items when eaten cause health problems. Generally, children are attracted to buy such things. Hence, they fall ill. Buying things from such hawkers should be avoided.

The customers of a street hawker are specifically homemakers and children. The homemakers buy vegetable and fruit from him. The children buy ice cream, sweets and candies. A street hawker has no fixed price. People bargain with him before buying things.

The hawker is an important member of society. He serves us in many ways. He brings goods and services at our doorstep. He saves our time. However, his life is difficult. We should be sensitive and sympathetic towards him. His dignity of labour deserves our respect.