The admission season has always been a blooming period for the vendors lined up around the North and South campuses of Delhi University. These establishments are famous to serve beverages, snacks, and other knick-knacks at affordable prices, thus being a hit among college students. But since the lockdown was announced, along with long extensions, these people are out of business and the same bustling lanes are not painted with gloomy colours.
The infamous Sudama Tea Stall near Ramjas College was shut for the first time in the last 28 years since it opened, due to lockdown and the owner had to shift his rented accommodation to a cheap area to cover his expenses. He had 4 employees, who he sent back to their villages and he feels skeptical about him being able to ever re-open.
With no inflow of money and expenses, many had no other option than going back to their villages, They do not see any improvement at least till June and the losses are manifolds. Not just this, the stock lying over is expiring or rotting which is another loss they have to go through. It includes establishments like Tom Uncle Maggi Point near Ramjas, Manchanda Snacks outside old Law Faculty Building, and many more.
Some of the vendors are requesting from the government to permit them to open up for limited hours because changing the business now would only mean risking the little savings which they hold and spent years gathering. There are nostalgic memories with each and every such place around DU colleges and thus have been an important part of the students’ college life and their journey.
