The scorching April heat does not seem to deter Raghu (name changed), sitting under a temporary shade, his legs on the pedal of the treadle sewing machine and eyes fixated on the piece of cloth before him. Having spent nearly 20 years in Viman Nagar, he is one of the oldest tailors in the area. Raghu works near the Datta Mandir Chowk, and many shopping returnees from the Phoenix Mall approach him for alteration works. The charges are as less as Rs. 50, and the work is completed within a few minutes. All across Viman Nagar, many roadside tailors provide basic alteration facilities at their small shops by the road, consisting of a temporary shade, a sewing machine, and some bags. Most of these tailors have fixed customers. Raghu claims that he is one of these few tailors who has a license from the Municipalal Corporation, “A few years back, the Court had directed the authorities to give us a license. That is when I got the license, and all these tailors who came after me do not have one.” Sustaining himself and his family is the sole reason he is willing to work in such conditions. Life is harsh, but he is piecing it bit by bit. Image Source- Pixabay.com
10 Mar 2023
Ambika Bapat
