Srinagar, Mar 17: Muhammad Latief Sofi’s dry vegetable shop on the banks of Dal lake at Hazratbal locality is a go-to place for shoppers who want to relish dry vegetables and dried fish.
Sofi is a third-generation dry vegetable seller whose grandfather started a small stall when Hazratbal used to be in its old shape with a thatched rooftop decades ago. Despite the start of dry winter this year, Sofi says the love of people for dry vegetables amid sub-zero temperatures keeps them attracting to his shop.
“We have been at Hazrabal for last three generations serving people with delicious dry vegetables, Pulses, dried fish and some spices. This is a family legacy that I am proud of. This business has not only been feeding me but around 50-60 people who are indirectly associated with it,” Sofi said.
Putting up in a temporary kiosk, his shop is full of dried vegetables like turnips, brinjal, beans, bottle gourd, tomato, spinach, and much more. In addition to dry vegetables, he sells dried fish, which is a popular delicacy in Kashmir.
“We are among the few sellers who do this business round the year. Our items are available as per season, for example, in the heart of winter we have primarily dry vegetables only and as the season changes we shift to other dry items and pulses,” Sofi said. He said pulses ranging from local to non-local varieties are sold now as they are slowly bidding farewell to winter. “We keep our business going with other things like shallots, garlic which are a primary ingredient for upcoming marriage season,” he added.
In addition to three people working at his shop, he is providing the livelihood to over 60 people directly or indirectly. He said that from transporters to people associated with drying the veggies are benefited by his business.
“There are scores of women who grow vegetables in far-flung areas of Kashmir then dry them. Later, some suppliers sell these to us. Some transport these dried veggies to our shops. You can see it is like a chain and so many families are earning their livelihood from it,” Sofi said.
“I have seen struggles in business due to various challenges, but never gave up on the family legacy. I am hopeful that my children will continue family trade. I started coming here as a kid with my father then took over the business. My children are studying in universities these days, but they never miss to help me out. This business has nurtured us and we will continue it,” he said.
Sofi said that a lot has changed since he started as a kid. “In comparison to past, people are more health conscious and make sure that they get the best quality. We ensure to provide clean and sun-dried vegetables that are without any harmful additions. Our supplier is following the best practices in this regard so that our customers are happy with the product,” he added.
Sofi said that vendors like him are keeping the tradition alive and authorities should also ensure to help them.” I have been running my business from a shabby kiosk for decades. Authorities should provide us with special outlets so that we can showcase Kashmir’s traditional delicacies in a more presentable way. So many tourists come to visit Hazratbal and they stop here to check our product.”