SURVIVAL ON THE STREETS THE QUIET STRUGGLES OF DIFFERENTLY-ABLED VENDORS

 

As the city rushes through its daily grind, few pause to notice the men and women seated along busy pavements, quietly selling small items-balloons, pens, toys or packets of snacks. Among them are several differently-abled individuals, for whom the roadside is not just a workplace, but a lifeline. At a traffic signal in Sector-1 and 6, 38-year-old Ramesh, who lost a leg in an accident years ago, balances himself on crutches while approaching vehicles with packets of tissues. Each red light is an opportunity, each green signal, a missed chance. “Some days are good, but many pass without even earning enough for a meal,” he says. For many like him, formal employment remains out of reach. Limited education, lack of accessibility and social stigma often close doors before they can even knock. With little support and rising living costs, selling small goods on the roadside becomes one of the few available means of survival.

Sunita, a visually impaired woman, sells toys on various crossings. She relies on her sense of touch and memory to arrange her items. “People sometimes bargain heavily, even when they know my condition,” she shares quietly. “But I cannot refuse, I need to sell something every day.” Their struggles are not limited to financial hardship. Harsh weather, unsafe road conditions and the constant threat of eviction by authorities add to their daily challenges. During extreme summers or winter chills, their workplace offers no shelter. Yet, they return every day, driven by necessity rather than choice. Social attitudes, too, play a significant role in shaping their lives. While some passersby extend kindness, many ignore them, viewing them as part of the city’s background. Occasional acts of generosity provide momentary relief, but what they truly seek is dignity and opportunity. Experts and social workers highlight the need for more inclusive policies-skill development programmes, accessible workplaces and financial support systems that can help differently-abled individuals move beyond street vending. While schemes exist on paper, their reach often remains limited.

Despite the odds, these vendors display remarkable resilience. Their presence on the streets is a reminder of both the gaps in the system and the strength of the human spirit. Each sale, no matter how small, represents not just income, but survival. As cities continue to grow and modernise, their stories raise an important question: can development truly be inclusive if it leaves behind those striving the hardest just to get by?

Dwarka City talked to few differently abled persons to know their struggles-

My livelihood depends entirely on this small street vending work in Sector-5, Near DDA office Nursery, opposite Sector-6, Market, where I have been selling snacks and beverages for nearly nine years. Every day is a test of endurance, especially because of my physical disability, which makes even basic movement and carrying goods a challenge. Due to my physical disability, moving around and carrying goods is very difficult. Every day, bringing items to the stall becomes a challenge. The government has schemes like battery tricycles, but they are only given to people with 80% disability. People like me, who fall in the 50 - 60% category, are left out. I humbly request the government to consider reducing this limit so more people can benefit. It will make our lives easier and help us earn independently. We do not face harassment from authorities, but our daily struggle is with mobility and survival.

Gautam, Sector-5

“For the past 15 years, I have been selling vegetables on the streets near Triveni Heights Appt. Sector-16, starting my day early by bringing fresh stock from the mandi. I bring fresh vegetables daily from the mandi and sell them in nearby areas to earn my living. I also travel from Uttam Nagar early in the morning, hoping to make enough to support my family.  This work is my only means of survival, but it comes with constant uncertainty. Some days, unsold vegetables lead to losses and rising costs of transportation make it harder to recover. On top of this, we often face challenges from authorities and lack a fixed place to conduct our business peacefully. Despite trying to seek financial help and loans, I have not received any support. All I ask is for stability - a designated space, fair treatment, and some assistance- so that small vendors like me can continue to earn honestly and live with respect.”

Shyam Lal, Vegetable vendor

I a tea vendor in Sector-12, Pocket-5 near K M Chowk for the past 20 years. Every day, I travel from Uttam Nagar by bicycle to earn my livelihood. A few years ago, both my hands were badly injured. Although I received treatment, I still face difficulties while working. Because of my condition, I could not find stable employment and had to continue this small tea work to survive. My daily income is very low and not enough to meet basic needs. Life has become very expensive and sometimes I struggle even for food and a proper place to sit and work. Managing my family in such conditions is very difficult. I have tried to seek help from the government. I applied for jobs and financial assistance, but I did not receive any loan or support. Despite working hard all these years, I have not been able to improve my situation. Sometimes, dealing with local authorities like MCD officials also becomes challenging, as we face uncertainty and pressure. Still, I continue to work hard, hoping for a better future. Through this, I request the government to provide support, fair opportunities and basic facilities so that people like me can live with dignity.

Ram Sagar, Sector-12

Running a small snack and cold drink stall in Dwarka Sector- 1, near Police Chowki, is not easy when mobility itself becomes a daily challenge. I have been working here for the past eight to nine years, and my brother’s support is what keeps my business going. Due to my physical condition, walking and transporting goods is extremely difficult. While schemes like battery-operated tricycles exist, the eligibility criteria exclude people like me who fall below the 80% disability mark. I have around 50 - 60% disability, so I am not eligible. This leaves many of us struggling unnecessarily. I do not ask for charity - only for a fair opportunity to work independently. I do not face issues from police or authorities, but mobility remains my biggest struggle. I request support so I can work with dignity. If the rules are made more inclusive, it would empower people like me to stand on our own feet and earn with dignity.”

Ashok Kumar, Snack & Cold Drink Vendor

“For nearly two decades, my small tea stall has been my only source of survival. Every morning, I cycle from Uttam Nagar to Dwarka to earn a modest income for my family. A few years ago, I suffered a serious injury in both hands. Even today, the pain and weakness remain, making simple tasks difficult, but stopping work is not an option for me. With rising prices, my earnings often fall short of even basic needs. There are days when I return home with almost nothing in hand. I have approached authorities and applied for assistance, but I have not received any support so far. Still, I continue with hope, because all I seek is a little stability and the chance to live with dignity while supporting my family.”

.Raju Prasad, Tea Vendor

I run a small snack stall selling samosas and tea in Sector-10 Metro Station behind WelcomHotel Dwarka. I have been doing this work for around 17 years. Every day, I come from Uttam Nagar to earn money for my family. This is my only source of income. Running a small stall is not easy. The cost of raw materials like oil, flour and gas has increased, but customers still expect low prices. Sometimes, I am unable to earn enough even to cover my daily expenses. There are also challenges like lack of proper space, fear of eviction and occasional pressure from authorities. I once applied for financial help and a loan to expand my stall, but I did not get any response. Still, I continue my work with hope. I just want fair opportunities and support so I can grow my business and provide a better future for my family.

Karim Ansari, Snack Stall Vendor

I am a street vendor in Sector-11, near Sports Complex and Dwarka Ramleela Mahotsav Ground. For the past several years, I have been earning my livelihood by selling biscuits, paan masala, cigarettes, and other small daily-use items. My daily income is around ₹500–600, which is barely enough to support my family. We are struggling to survive with this limited income, especially as prices of basic necessities continue to rise. I am also physically disabled, which makes it very difficult for me to move around and carry goods for my stall. Every day is a challenge, and without proper support, it becomes even harder to continue working and earning. The government provides assistance like battery-operated tricycles, but these are only given to people with 80% or more disability. Those of us in the 50–60% disability category are left out, even though we also face serious difficulties. I humbly request the authorities to lower this eligibility limit so that more people like me can benefit. Additionally, a simple, manually operated wheelchair designed for small vendors like me would be more useful for my daily work. I request your kind support so that I can continue to earn a living and provide for my family with dignity.

Mahesh, Sector-11