The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Making hay while the sun shines

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Thursday, May 10, 2007
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Making hay while the sun shines

Staff Reporter

Summer provides villagers a chance to cash in on heat

SLICING SKILLS: A vendor sells cucumbers on the beach in Puducherry. — Photo: T. Singaravelou

PUDUCHERRY: What is fierce poison to one man may be food to others, with due apologies to the ancient saying. So while the heat wave in the Union Territory puts the people to much hardship, it also provides many others the opportunity to make a living.

People from far-flung villages in Villupuram and Cuddalore districts come here every summer to sell palm kernels (nungu) and cucumbers to help the locals beat the heat.

"I come here only during the summer, when it is the season for nungu. I work on the fields as a labourer for the rest of the year," says Valliamma, who sells nungu at Re.1 a piece. She spends Rs.30 per day towards bus tickets from Molasur to Puducherry and back. "I make about Rs.50 per day, but since I leave home by 5 a.m., I don't have time for breakfast or lunch. The only proper meal I have in a day is dinner when I go back home," she adds.

Ms. Valliamma sits near the Jawahar Bal Bhavan on Maraimalai Adigal Salai. But she is not alone, 10-15 people, also from her village, come to Puducherry to sell nungu.

The roadside near Bal Bhavan is lined with people selling cucumbers. Padmavathy from Aandikudi in Cuddalore district sells them at Rs.10 per kooru. But the rates are high, customers say.

"You will get 3-4 cucumbers for Rs.5 in other places," said an auto driver, who tried his hand at haggling.

Vellari pazham, a cucumber variety, is also a refreshing option for many looking to beat the summer heat. .

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