Now, though, some good news has come his way. Singapore Tourism Board has invited him to their country to be part of the first World Streetfood Festival Congress. After Singh participated in a street food festival held in the capital in December, a delegation from Singapore was so impressed that they approached the street vendors association to invite him. He had won an award at the street food festival.
"Here police beat us up and NDMC officials seize my cart. So many times we have had to run leaving all our goods behind. When we return, save a few utensils there is little else. At least the firangs (foreigners) have realized our worth," said the 50-year-old.
Usually he earns Rs 15-20,000 a month but the past two months have been very rough. "I almost lost hope and even made up mind to return to Mathura (his hometown). Where will we go if the authorities turn against us? At least I'm lucky enough to have this opportunity, but what about others?" he said. On Wednesday, hundreds of India Gate vendors put up a blockade at police headquarters demanding they be allowed to do business.
Singh will be flying on Sunday evening. At his house, it's a festive atmosphere. His wife and four children are all very excited. "My wife has packed some woollens as well though I have told her not to. I wish I could afford to take my family along." Along with Singh, four other street vendors —Narayanswami and Bhaskar Urs of Karnataka, Ashok Shah and Vijay Kumar of Patna — will also participate in the festival. Narayanswami sells chicken 65 in which he uses 65 kinds of spices, Bhaskar Urs is into tangerine and lemon rice. Ashok Shah sells litti chokha Bihari-style and Vijay sells mutton rice.
National Association for Street Vendors of India, NASVI, is happy for the quartet. "It is sad that our government has done nothing for them," Sangeeta Singh, street food programme manager with NASVI, said.
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