28 July,2011 07:35 AM IST | | Maleeva Rebello
The Tamkas, who own a jewellery shop in the diamond hub, struggle with memories of the dreadful blast they lost their 24-year-old son to
Two weeks ago, on a Wednesday evening, Khushpal Tamka (26) was at his store in Zaveri Bazaar with his father Kirtikumar when suddenly they heard a loud explosion.
Khushpal, who helps his father run Sangeeta Chains, said, "My father almost immediately ran down the building. I don't know what came over him. I followed him as he ran into Khau Galli where we saw mangled bodies lying around."
Khushpal Tamka (in white kurta) says the mayhem that
claimed his brother Avinash'su00a0 (inset) life still haunts him
He continued, "Every time I come here, the image flashes in my mind. My brother, Avinash all covered in blood, my father wrapping him in plastic, putting him in a tempo, rushing him to the hospital."
Avinash (24) was one of those who couldn't survive the July 13 triple blasts. Engaged to get married, he was Khushpal's younger brother.
Right after the blasts, MiD DAY had spoken to Kirtikumar, who said that until two days ago they had been preparing for a wedding, but what they had was a funeral.
The Tamkas' business partner, Ashok Jain, said, "We opened the shop last Wednesday, a week after the blast. Kirtikumarji has not yet started coming in to work, but Khushpal started coming from last Monday.
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His son Avinash was a jovial chap, always up to some harmless mischief. We really miss him. It seems like the life of our shop has gone away."
Like the Tamkas, many other traders in concrete shops try and carry on with their lives. Meanwhile, outside their shops, the hucksters, who not so long ago crowded the streets with a miscellany of ware to sell, are nowhere to be seen.
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Even as police security has been beefed up on the roads around the Bazaar, hawkers have been disallowed from plying trade.
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They still crowd around the area in the hope of justice, trying to sneak in a sale stealthily, when the cops are not in sight, to make whatever scant living they can.
No place to go
Jitendra Raghunath Thodkar, a resident from Vikhroli who had a T-shirt stall in the jeweller's hub, said, "I have two small children who have just started going to school.
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I have no money to feed them. The ban on hawking here has snapped my means of sustenance."
u00a0Vijay Kesaria, a dry fruit vendor, said, "They are trying to destroy us. We can't go home to our families without any money. I have five children. Two of my daughters need to be married off. I don't know what to do. I am not a terrorist but I am paying the price still."
Ameen Siddiqui, who sells footwear, said, "We have all been selling things here for the past 20 years or more. Where do we go now?" Tannabai Ghantaghat, a maize seller said, "In my old age I have lost my livelihood.
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I have a family to feed. Everyone needs some work to survive in this city. For a poor family like mine, managing to live may get difficult."
u00a0The hawkers said they were taken to the police station on Monday evening when they were going about their business, attempting to sell stuff, and were asked to pay a fine of Rs 1,200 each.
Ramasarwa Raut, a toy seller, said, "By God's grace, the senior inspector let us go without paying the fine because we were poor. But going without earnings for 15 days is not an option for some of us who, are the only working members in the family."
One of the hawkers said that they approached the state home minister but were told that the matter would be looked into after August 15.
But as far as the jewellers and goldsmiths are concerned, the tribulations of the hawkers are inconsequential; the safety of their lives and property is all they can be bothered with.
With this in mind, the Bombay Bullion Association at Zaveri Bazaar has sent a letter to the Home Minister to prohibit hawking at Zaveri Bazaar.
Suresh Puri, a goldsmith, said, "Hawking is a big problem here and vendors play into the hands of the terrorists, knowingly and unknowingly.
Our association has installed CCTV surveillance cameras in parts of the Bazaar, but police protection needs to be reinforced. This has always been a sensitive area."
Hiren Jha, another goldsmith, said, "Now that the hawkers are off the road, it is much easier to walk and the road seems more spacious.
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It is not our lookout what happens to the hawkers. We just care about the safety of the area and our businesses."
