When we talk about Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and sustainable livelihoods, one question keeps coming back to me: Where do small retailers, food vendors, hawkers,and vegetable stalls stand in the next 10 years?
As a student of Social Work at TISS, specializing in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, I often come across stories that force me to rethink the idea of “development.” One such story stayed with me deeply.
During my field visit in Malwani, Malad, I met a food vendor. He is the sole breadwinner of his family, living with his wife and four daughters who are all in school. For years, his roadside stall was his livelihood. But recently, due to government restrictions, he was banned from setting up his thela (stall). Being diabetic and with limited work options, he is now surviving on irregular labor jobs, struggling to meet even his family’s basic needs.
He looked at me with hope and asked if I or the NGO I was working with could help him restart his stall. That moment hit me hard. I felt helpless because I couldn’t do anything for him immediately. But his story is not unique—it is the story of thousands of small vendors and retailers across Mumbai, to Jharkhand, and all of India. Their struggles affect not only their daily survival but also their children’s education, future opportunities, health, and mental well-being.
The Bigger Questions
If India truly wants to build a self-reliant and sustainable economy, then we need to think about:
Infrastructure for Small Vendors
People who sell vegetables, grains, or street food are the backbone of our local economy. Yet they are the first to be removed from roadsides without being provided with proper vending zones, licenses, or infrastructure.
(As of early 2022, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had identified approximately 49.48 lakh (nearly 5 million) street vendors across India. However, this is widely believed to be an undercount, as many vendors, especially those operating informally or without registration, are yet to be identified). Without alternatives, they end up working as daily-wage laborers, migrating to slums, or losing hope altogether.
The Threat of Quick Commerce and Supermarkets
Quick commerce companies like Blinkit, Zepto, or Swiggy Instamart may offer convenience, but they are a serious threat to local vendors. While a small farmer sells fresh produce at the roadside, we often choose to order packaged or refrigerated vegetables online—paying extra delivery charges without thinking about quality or sustainability.
Supermarkets and e-commerce platforms are monopolizing what once was the domain of small vendors. Those who lack digital literacy and resources are being pushed out of the market.
Changing Consumer Behavior
Convenience has come at a cost. By avoiding local markets, we are not only hurting vendors but also harming ourselves. We walk less, socialize less, and increasingly live in isolated digital worlds. The cultural and social connections that once thrived in local markets are fading.
Our Responsibility
Mahatma Gandhi once said: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
If we want a self-reliant India, it starts with us. Each time we choose to buy from a small vendor instead of a quick commerce app, we are contributing to sustainable livelihoods. Each time we talk to a local seller, we are rebuilding social bonds. And each time we step out of our comfort zones to support them, we take one step closer to a more inclusive and healthier society.
So the next time you feel the urge to order groceries online, pause for a moment. Take a walk to the nearby vegetable stall, talk to the vendor, and buy from them. Not only will you get fresh produce, but you’ll also contribute to sustaining someone’s livelihood. And trust me—you’ll feel better too.
A self-reliant India cannot be built by ignoring the very people who form its backbone. Small vendors are not just sellers—they are dreamers, providers, and contributors to our nation’s social and economic fabric.
