For someone who grew up in a Koliwada, which essentially means a home that opens to the sea, engaging in fishing and trading was an obvious choice of livelihood in the '70s. "Born and brought up in Versova [formerly Vesave], I would frequent the weekend fish market with my parents. On a platform, my mother would have her paraphernalia spread, and I would look on as she sold her catch. By the time I was 13, I became an important ally. Soon, I started selling fish independently," remembers Harsha Tapke. With an experience that spans over 35 years, Harsha, who turned 50 this year, says the Koli community has seen major changes. "The younger generation is no longer interested in the profession; they'd rather take up corporate jobs. But our time was different. We took pride in selling fish. Back in the day, small boats that went into the sea returned in just a couple of hours stuffed with big catch. Today, the boats return after 10 days and with barely anything. The aboriginal community has begun to get wiped out, their livelihood threatened. It's the rising pollution and commercialisation of the sea that are responsible."

The nationwide lockdown, announced on March 24, added to the woes of the community. "After fishing was banned for two months, and the markets shut down, we were out of business. Very recently, we have resumed fishing, but the loss is irreparable," Harsha rues.