Look at that ‘Big Cock’! Kudla now has a Street Vendor selling Roosters by the Roadside?
Mangaluru: One thing for sure in our beautiful coastal city aka “Smart City”, you can either buy your commodities by going to a shop/store-or you can buy the same commodities from the illegal street vendors for lesser the price. Day by day Mangaluru is getting invaded by new street vendors dealing with new items- we have street vendors selling Vegetables, Fruits, Cane Chairs/baskets, Stuffed toys, Watermelons, antique clocks, shoes, clothes, etc etc. Earlier there were couple of street vendors selling baby ducks- but Kudla now has a street vendor selling roosters and baby turkeys- loaded in a cage fitted to his motorbike. Funny but strange- that around 50 roosters/baby turkeys are being hauled around on a two-wheeler. What will people think of next to earn their daily bread?
Meet Vinayak Eshwarajan aged 35 originally from Tamil Nadu, but now residing in the outskirts of Mangaluru is doing his living by selling Salem branded Roosters, and also baby turkeys. His location of business is on NH 66 highway, right behind Kadri park- and the speeding motorist make a quick pit stop to have a look at his “Cock” and “Turkey”? The roosters are in various sizes-some of them plumpy, while some are skinny- priced at Rs 400 each- but you buy two, the bargain price is Rs 750-700. Baby turkey each will cost you between Rs 400-300.
While baby turkeys and baby chickens/roosters are placed inside the cage fitted to his motorbike, the grown roosters are allowed to roam freely inside a small fence made of fish net. Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Vinayak said, ” His family has been into poultry business for many years in TN- but this concept of selling the fowls by the street side from his two-wheeler is his very own idea. Although the business is not so brisk here, but if I sell a few roosters that will cover my expenses for the day. I can’t do this business in a busy city spots due to restrictions from the authorities, only here on the Highway, where customers are less. But I have to manage since there is no other option. Looking forward for patronage from motorists passing through here”.
But critics say that some of the creatures like roosters can be sold legally but the lack of a law to define the pet trade means they are subjected to much cruelty. People who dye animals and keep them in cramped places can be punished under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Keeping or confining “any animal in any cage or other receptacle which does not measure sufficiently in height, length and breadth to permit the animal a reasonable opportunity for movement is an offence as per the act,”. That’s true- but in India, and for that matter even in Mangaluru, who follows the laws/rules- most of the business are run illegally anyhow by legal traders and illegal traders like street vendors.
But anyways, if you thinking of making Kori Sukkha, or Chicken Pulli Munchi under a slight lesser budget, then make a trip on NH 66 (behind Kadri park), and where you can meet Vinayak who will be happy to show one of his “Cock” or a “Baby Turkey”.
