My Heart Bleeds for A Unique Haat Bazar

I stay in Lokhandwala area of Mumbai. It is Mecca of Films, TV, Modeling and other show business. It is very costly for living. Even the cost of Vegetables is normally 30 to 40 percent higher comparing to the nearby localities. Very close to Lokhandwala, there is a locality called Millatnagar. Earlier this area was having some dubious distinction because of some unholy kind of linkages. But not any more, the population though predominantly Muslim, is very well mingled with mainstream. Every Saturday, Millatnagar prepares stage for a unique drama called Millatnagar Saturday Market. For four hours from 11 in the noon to 3 in the evening. More than 250 vendors appear from no where sharp at 11 O clock set their wares on the footpath of road in the heart of Millatnagar with clockwork precision. And after 3 O' clock you will not find a single vendor there.


  I  rank this market  unique due to so many reasons. You must have heard about flee markets across the globe (nearest Flee is on Anjuna/ Colangute Beach Goa) where people sale there personal things right from jeans, tops, cameras, watches, souvenirs, memorabilia at through away price. you must have heard about weekly Hats and Peths in our rural areas where villagers purchase their weekly requirements from  at a very reasonable rate because there are very few middlemen, you might have also heard about Farmers Markets in US Cities where farmers bring fresh produce directly from their farms. So this Millat Nagar Saturday Weekly Market contains all these elements, you may buy anything from Vegetable, Masalas, Daily Utilities, fashionable ladies outfits, shoes, laces, dress material, imitation jewelry etc etc at unbelievable bargains. This is the reason right from 11 AM you will find huge crowd comprised of young and not so young ladies in Burka, jeans and salwar kameej. You may rub your shoulders with known and not so known TV and modeling artists also and established and famous film artist hidden behind a colourful Burka !  In fact this market is a boon for those who do not have time to go to Andheri or other market and get their entire weekly requirement close to doorsteps. You may find Chuski, Juice, Chinese Bhel, Cut Fruits, Masala Chas kind stuff also at a affordable price.


I am not ashamed to share that if time permits I also go there to make small shopping as well as to have an unique rustic experience. Today my friends' wife and some other neighboring ladies started around 11 on their usual saturday Millatnagar shopping  and returned back in just 15 minutes, I was surprised not to find out  their swollen bags full of vegetables, fruits and other purchases. I was shocked to hear the reason. The police in plain uniform had vandalized brutally, with the result half of the displayed stuff on footpath was spoiled.

If you want to do something for our betterment clear pavements from these kind of stalls not to obstruct 4 hour weekly market that too during non peak hours

I want that after you read this  piece please forward it  to top police officials as well as others top people who matters in administration. I just have a small question why such  vandalism  in name of administration in interior part of Mohalla localities. These vendors are not obstructing highway or city traffic, within a shortspan of 4 hours they caters to the needs of the local residents that too once in a week. In case police is really interested to improve the city traffic or road congestion , they should clear footpaths near Andheri, Malad or Dadar station which have converted into permanent shopping complex and in the evening peak hours it is impossible for pedestrians   to walk  around. If police is genuinely concern about our area, make it free from chain snatchers, pickpocketers  and other anti social elements. I call upon the City Aldermen to visit this unique weekly haat, provide basic amenities for these temporary vendors as well as shoppers as it is done in such kind of Farmer Markets in US. After all these vendors are not chain snatchers, pick pocketers, anti socials, they want to earn their livelihood by helping the locals who do not want to waste their money shopping  at upmarket  airconditioned stores at Maals and Shopping Arcades. Allow this inclusive growth for these small entrepreneurs.


Is there some sensible person in police and administration is willing to listen the sane voices ?