Survival at stake for cooks and odd-jobs men
PRAYAGRAJ Cooks and people dependent on marriage functions and similar celebrations for making a living, are one of the worst sufferers during the lockdown, with all marriages and big gatherings postponed in the state.
Likewise, with iftar parties and other religious functions also banned, most cooks are facing an extreme financial crisis.
On March 18, the state government had issued orders restricting the number of those attending marriage functions at guest houses and other places, to under 50 people. With guest houses and marriage halls unwilling to take the risk of the number of people attending, all weddings since, were postponed or performed sans pomp and show, with a few guests at the residence of either the bride or the groom. And then, of course, the lockdown came into effect, hitting those hard who depended on wedding functions for a living.
Arun Kushwaha, the owner of a big guest house in Kareli in Prayagraj, said that besides cooks, many other people, including caterers, decorators, fruit suppliers, water suppliers, waiters, music providers/DJs, etc earn a living through marriages. All of them are now finding it difficult to make ends meet, he said.
“At my guest house, at least 125 people were permanently employed, who were paid after each marriage function. I have been arranging for their needs somehow after the restriction on large functions came into force,” Kushwaha said.
According to an estimate, there are around 70 registered and unregistered guest houses in the district, which are a source of livelihood for a large number of people. “I had orders to cook at over 20 marriage functions when all such celebrations were restricted. I have to return the advance taken from people as there is no certainty when wedding functions will be allowed again,” said non-vegetarian food specialist Mohd Salahuddin.
Sangamlal, another cook specialising in vegetarian food, said that he often had to refuse orders as he was overburdened with work. “Now, the situation is that I am returning the advance taken for marriages and am facing a huge problem money-wise,” Sangamlal complained.
“We had some hope of making money during Ramzan by cooking biryani for iftar parties, but that too is gone now,” lamented another cook Mohd Qamar.
Shyam Singh, a professional decorator, used to get regular orders for decorating guest houses during weddings. “With no marriages taking place, there is no way we can earn a living,” he said. Over a month has passed since marriages were restricted at guest houses and now many who used to do odd jobs at marriages are forced to do other works, said Mumtaz Ahmad, the manager of a guest house.
“A girl, Sangeeta, used to work as a welcome girl, welcoming guests when they arrived at the guest house. I recently spotted her pulling a vegetable cart,” Mumtaz said.
Salman and his team used to work as waiters at different guest houses.but all of them have either left for their villages or depend on ration distributed by locals.