Lal content with his life
FROM truck driving to market vending, Keshwa Lal says he is content with life.
The sole breadwinner of his family left his job because of continuous back pains and now sells vegetables along Ratu Dovi Rd.
At first, Mr Lal said he had to walk from house to house selling cabbages, tomatoes, eggplants and bhindi (okra) but later realised he could make twice then what he earned if he had a stall of his own.
“Money is good but like every other vendor, I struggle as well sometimes,” he said.
“I’ve been selling vegetables for two years now and there are days when business is good and other days I just don’t earn anything at all.
“With whatever I earn at the end of the day, I thank God because I know it’s always enough for me and my family.
“There is always competition because there are a lot of vendors along this road — some farmers come and sell their produce at a lower price and obviously customers would go for cheaper options.
“Vendors like me, we lose a few customers and eventually don’t make much profit like we should.”
Mr Lal vends from Mondays to Sundays and says if business is slow, he still can rake in about $70 but on a good day, he can earn from $130 to $200 or even more.
“Say, if I make $150 in a day, half of that money I will use to buy my produce for the next day,” Mr Lal said.
“The other half of the money I will either deposit into our savings account or if we really need a few basic items at home then we’ll use it.
“I prefer to buy my produce daily because I like to sell fresh ones to my customers.
“If I buy in bulk then there’s definitely going to be leftovers and food will be wasted.
“I would then take it home and distribute them to my neighbours or have them for dinner.
“Right now, cabbages are in season. Cabbages could be cooked as a curry dish, a nice hot soup or you could prepare a big salad.
“However, you want to cook it, cabbages are good for your health.”
Mr Lal lives with his two daughters and wife.
He starts selling at 8am and leaves 6pm or 7pm depending on how fast he sells his produce.