As a child of the fertile land of Terai, I have vivid memories printed with Monday evenings. In the middle of the regular days, there was something extra special about the Monday evenings which made me long for it throughout the week. It was all associated with the tiny marketplace called “Hatiya”.
All the excitement mounting the whole week used to meet the climax with my mother handing me two rupees. Two rupees might appear to be very little sum, but for me, it was a treasure chest. Tightly clutching two rupees coin in my little fist, I would happily run to the captivating world of “Hatiya”. The open-air bazaar, which operated once a week near my residence, was the buzzing displays of vibrant colors, earthy-smelling vegetables, delicious-smelling snacks, and energetic talks of vendors and buyers.
Keeping all these settings aside, my whole attention would be on what the two rupee coin could offer me. The option was many. For instance, taste sense tingling sweet and sour Baer (Jujube fruit), crust echoing savory Dhungri (chips), or deep-fried treats like Aaloochap and Pakoras.
Now as a grown woman residing in a different location, I planned to step back into the familiar but dynamic world of Hatiya, to unravel the diverse tales. Venturing into the vibrant world of Hatiya once more, there was a mixture of nostalgia and excitement that triggered memories of my childhood, but I was prepared to discover this familiar place with the new light.
Wandering around for a few minutes, I approached Punam Kamat, who has been showcasing hues of fresh vegetables, roaming different places in Biratnagar every day. Her life took a challenging turn, when her spouse bid farewell, leaving Punam to look after the family of seven, four of whom were children pursuing education. Untouched by the difficulties life threw at her, Punam embraced the lively chaos of Hatiya. By offering the nourishment of fresh vegetables to the customers she has been shaping the future of her four kids all by herself.
Moving forward by observing things as much as my eyes could capture, it was evident that Hatiya wasn’t just the marketplace but a survival for the sellers growing modest crops in their small farm. The vendors who can’t rent the shutters in the mainstream market, and don’t have enough offerings to cater to the demand of a large number of buyers, discovered a supportive transaction community in Hatiya.
However, evolving as a spot for trading vegetables and fruits, Hatiya has transformed tremendously over time. It has definitely broadened its customer base beyond traditional household essentials. The market now showcases garments, jewelry, cosmetics, and even contemporary foods like momo, chowmein, panipuri, and chatpate, attracting young customers seeking affordable needs and culinary options.
While deeply observing the surroundings, my eyes stopped at the wise presence of Vijay Shah, a grandfather to four lively children in a family of nine. For the past four years, he has been offering aromatic spices at three places in Biratnagar on different days.
“Do you face any challenges vending here, Buwa? “ I questioned. He replied by saying that Metropolis had earlier created some obstacles which had been resolved by designating a specific location. Handing me the Rs.20 road-tax receipt he said “We have been contributing to the government so they also cooperate with us”. Despite, the wrinkle carved by the time he has the enthusiasm to support his family by offering his array of spices to his customers.
As i was leaving the bustling crowd, two middle-aged women carrying bags packed with vegetables stood out. “What did you buy, Aunty?” I asked with curiosity. The surprised face they had at being approached by an unknown face turned into a friendly exchange with the answer Cauliflower, Onions, and Coriander. They questioned me back, curious about what I was looking for. “Nothing, I just came to see what people are buying”, I stated playfully. As our discussion proceeded further, the interaction shed light on the affordability of products at Hatiya, nearly 20% cheaper than the mainstream market. They also portrayed their nationalism by giving the reason for visiting Hatiya to support local businesses over imported chemical-loaded farm-produced crops.
Heading home with memorable encounters and remarkable stories, I couldn’t overlook the negative aspects of Hatiya, the traffic congestion in the busy streets of the City. The chaos of Hatiya has been clogging streets, the transportation arteries.
However, wise strategies could lead to an optimistic outcome. Hatiya runs on designated days in different locations which allows commuters to navigate different routes and avoid delays in reaching their destination. On the other hand, seizing the opportunity to stop and purchase the needed products on the way to the destination, reduces the requirement for a separate trip to the mainstream market and malls and, in turn, saves valuable time.
An intellectual conversation with Prof. Dr. Bhesha Prasad Dhamala, an economist, highlighted the profound insights through the economic lens and more systematic strategies to manage the chaotic life of Hatiya. Dr. Dhamala stressed the indispensable need to provide legal recognition to the Hatiya Bajar. He focused on the more than 5-6 decades-long contribution of Hatiya in its enduring role as a livelihood source for vendors, not just in Terai but in some parts of the Hilly region.He further advocated for granting incentives to the Hatiya vendors to seamlessly transition into the formal economic framework.
As my curiosity was fueling further, I sought to take the much older perspective of the Hatiya. Kasinath Acharya‘s 68 years of life painted a multi-faced role of Hatiya. With a nostalgic twinkle in his eyes, he shared that Hatiya was not just a trading spot but a meeting point when he was young. Gone were the days, when he used to gather with friends at Hatiya, sipping tea, discussing contemporary issues, and even resolving conflicts. “Not only that”, he giggled. “We used to look for girls as well, some of the romantic connections even led to marriages”. He revealed. Wow! A traditional Tinder but with a more updated touch, where concern about fake accounts or pictures appeared irrelevant, the revelation sparked a thought in me.
The notion of Hatiya being a conventional yet more authentic matchmaking spot made me more appreciative of the market’s diverse societal functions. A brief interview with Dr. Kiran Acharya, a doctor of Sociology, gave me wider societal perspectives of Hatiya. The conversation highlighted the Hatiya as a vibrant atmosphere that provides a platform for transactions and meaningful social exchanges. Through the encounters of people from different casts, genders, and ethnicities, they feel a sense of relationships and belonging. In addition, to economic interdependence, Hatiya enhances the social fabric of the community by hosting cultural events, and local performances.
My narratives of Hatiya which were initially limited to the Monday evenings, and the simplicity of 2 rupees offerings have now transcended into the narratives of others, each one contributing to the pile of my understanding. The achievement of Punam through her hard work creates a ripple effect, providing educational opportunities to her children which in addition, shape the future of the City. Vijay through his dedication not only offers support to his family but also passes the values of entrepreneurship to the next generation, his grandchildren. Hatiya is more than just a transaction market; it has become an archive of experiences, connecting generations, and knitting the socio-economic fabric of Terai.
Should the government prioritize enhancements in the economic aspects for street vendors?
