All stalls in the college canteen had to be shut down during the two lockdowns and the proprietors had something to share about how they managed to tide over this period. Some of them faced financial problems on account of this. Now that the stalls are once again open, this reporter was able to talk to some of the proprietors and gain insights about the plight of these businesses which were very successful before COVID-19 but had to be shut down all of a sudden for several months because of the pandemic.
Excerpts from the interview:
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE PANDEMIC STRUCK?
“As every stall was asked to shut down, the juice bar was shut down too”, says its proprietor, Mr Manikandan, who depends entirely on this stall for his family’s livelihood.
“The stall in college was shut and we took rations to our hometown Salem to work there”, says Mr Pradeep from Irene’s Kitchen.
“My bakery was on lockdown along with me”, says Ms Hannah, our campus baker.
ARE THERE OTHER OUTLETS OUTSIDE COLLEGE?
Mr Manikandan says that WCC is the only place where he runs a stall. “WCC is my home,” he says. Though he was keen on finding temporary employment during the pandemic, jobs were very hard to come by.
Mr Pradeep said that though he had a family business in his hometown, his main job was in Irene’s Kitchen in WCC.
Hannah’s Bakery in WCC is also the only outlet she runs.
DID YOU FACE A FINANCIAL CRISIS AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
“Yes, I had difficulty paying house rent. But I was determined not to ask anyone for financial support. I mortgaged my wife’s jewels to get some money and used it for our expenses”, says Mr. Manikandan.
Mr. Pradeep says that he was managing his work in Salem and didn’t have much difficulty financially.
Ms. Hannah also said that she was able to tide over this period without serious trouble.
HOW IS BUSINESS NOW SINCE COLLEGE HAS REOPENED?
“My shop is back to how it was; teachers and students have started frequenting my stall, and that makes me happy”, says Mr Manikandan.
“Everything is fine now and we are making good sales, almost like in the days before the pandemic”, says Mr Pradeep along with his mother.
With the reopening of campus in September, the canteen is back to life, bustling with students, filled with the sounds of laughter, chatting, plates and cutlery, keeping these caterers on their feet, and thankful for the opportunity to resume their work.
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