Selling vegetables and fruits has become the most-sought after trade for a number of people who have been rendered unemployed due to the total lockdown in Bhilai and Durg. The COVID-19 pandemic and its induced lockdown to check spread of virus is not only limited to impact people’s healthy life but also adversely affecting on their wealth, forcing them to change professions. There has been a spurt in the number of vendors selling fruits and vegetables, an essential item for supplying, selling and buying across city amid COVID-19 protocol and restrictions. During total lockdown, in all major crossings and inside residential areas of the city, there are number of people can be seen setting up makeshift shop, selling vegetables, seasonal fruits and eggs, stacked at the back of auto-rickshaw, go-cart and even some were seen, selling essential goods, stacked on their cars with the hood raised.

 

After closure of eateries, food joints and restaurants in light of rising COVID-19 tally, several owners and staff members associated with food and beverage sector are compelled to sell veggies and fruits to ensure survival or their families. A cafe owner from Smriti Nagar has converted his two-storied shop into a vegetable shop and also serving people with home delivery. Similarly, Raghu Murthy, an auto-rickshaw driver has turned his vehicle into a vegetable cart and roaming in residential areas for selling veggies. Like both of them, the COVID-19 put a brake on several businesses for a uncertain period, leaving its staff and other associated workers with no source of money since past several weeks.

 

Eventually, some of them decided to change their profession and begin selling vegetables and fruits. Santosh Kumar, who runs an auto rickshaw for public transport from Dabrapara to Nehru Nagar across Bhilai city, is facing a financial crunch as residnwets are not willing to take an auto-rickshaw. After the lockdown, he stayed home for couple of weeks and the thought of paying school fees for his children and earning for meals inspired him to start selling vegetables. “The only opportunity available was selling vegetables. I was left with no option, so I decided to start selling veggies and fruits on my auto rickshaw for livelihood, said Santosh.