Festivals like Durga Puja and Navratri create an aura of celebration, family gatherings, lights, and endless joy. Amidst all this festivity, I find a group that we so often forget to acknowledge – vendors coming from villages and towns who sell their wares, weaving in lives with ours for the sake of our celebrations. While we enjoy those moments of festivity, they make both ends meet.
The Invisible Society Among Us
Reflect for a moment. As you move through the well-illuminated streets during Durga Puja or dance to the beats of garba during Navratri, you see them-cookies, clay idols, and balloons-some even selling handcrafted jewellery. Many of these vendors have migrated from rural villages. For them, these festivals become not a source of sale but a source of dignity. Some may splurge on a new outfit for themselves and their children.
But starkly contrasting to that, all of this is starkly contrasted between us. When it comes to society, there are always two segments accounted for, the "upper" classes and the "lower" classes. But during the festival, that line is invisible. We all part of one huge celebration. While you are out and enjoying the festivities, the vendors remain behind, working hard to put bread on their tables, in most cases under not-so-friendly conditions. It may not be noticeable, but it is present, like the haze of incense wafting through the air.
An Overlooked Reality
Change the perspective. Your child is with you walking through this festival, watching its beauty when your child insists on a balloon. The balloon salesman wears a smile to his face, expecting a sale. You are now basking in the moment of happiness with the glee of the festival, but for the salesman, it is a moment of survival.
Your social interaction with that vendor may leave a long-term impact, not only financially but emotionally. Such vendors are normally met with cold behaviour and sometimes are not treated very well at all. We forget the fact that they are part and parcel of the festival that we celebrate. Their work brings vibrancy to the event. Without them, the experience would not be colourful.
Treat Them with Respect
I humbly request you to treat these vendors with such dignity they deserve. They work right through the festival, and sometimes they miss their own enjoyment at home. You seem to see them only while basking in the joy with your family. It is so easy not to notice them at work, as they are meant to make the festival a magical day for all of you. Imagine if flower garlands, sweets, or handcrafted decorations were not there in the celebrations. It would definitely be incomplete.
প্রতিটি কাজের পেছনে একজন মানুষের চেষ্টা আছে, তাই প্রত্যেককে সম্মান দিন।
(Behind every task, there is a person's effort; hence, respect everyone.)
This is what this one of the historic Bengali quote says about the importance of how we should treat each and every single person, especially at celebrational times. Thus, we honour the gods and goddesses during these festivals but honour those who actually bring those festivals to life with their hard work.
The Vendors: The Soul of the Festival
While these festivals fill the gap between communities, Durga Puja illustrates the victory of good over evil; at the same time, Navratri adores the feminine power of the divine. Are we, however, living up to the ideals these festivals represent by ill-treating those
The vendors work day and night throughout the festival to their utmost capacity, fighting with difficult customers and the stress to make enough sales in support of their families. Not only their wares add colour to the festival, but also their spirit, their resilience. They are as much part of the celebrations as the pandals, idols, and lights.
A Heartfelt Appeal
Next time you attend a festival, try to look at the world through the other's eyes. You are here with your family, celebrating, but they work here away from their families. For them, this festival will be perhaps the only time of the year when they'll earn enough to last them for months ahead. A simple smile, kind word, or even the price they ask for does make a big difference. Let's not bargain so hard that we forget their livelihood depends on this sale.
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