A Visual Story by Sumit Kaushik | Life of a roadside craftsman in Delhi
From Delhi: A close glimpse of real life stories that need no words
Dear Reader,
In a first, it is my pleasure to present and share with you a heartwarming series ‘A Visual Story by Sumit Kaushik’.
These real life candid glimpses will speak to you more than words.
Take a look.
Experience the vivid colours and the unspoken stories that thread every image shared below.
Meet Aman Chauhan, Delhi based roadside craftsman, lives and works at one of the busiest roads in New Delhi.
He lives and works with his family at the same place. He got no formal education yet he is creative (from product conceptualizing perspective) and running his own small business.
He is good at conceptualizing, coloring and selling craftwork.
He loves fine arts.
His life is full of struggles.
Everyday he wakes up with a hope that there would be some earnings, customers would come and buy some stuff from him so he can have a good dinner and peaceful sleep.
There is immense competition around him.
The entire lane of roadside craftsmen around him are his competitors.
These roadside craftsmen also seek humble support from Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) – in terms of relaxing regulations and protocols.
The pandemic COVID-19 has made their life tougher.
Do you want to know why?
Cost of raw materials, produced goods, paints, transportation & logistics have gone up; lockdowns have impacted them hugely.
Customer footfall and their bargaining habits – also, a huge matter of concern.
Inflation has also toughened their life.
With some vocation training and skilling courses, they can do wonders in terms of producing more fine, more high quality products and it will also help them fine tuning their selling skills.
Support local artists so they can have a good life.
They have huge burdens and not everyone in their family is earning.
They support each other and struggle to live a hand to mouth life.
