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Millions of Indians have lost their jobs during this long lockdown.
How are they coping with this unexpected crisis in their lives?
Beginning a new series:
On June 30, 2020, four months into the lockdown, Prashant Nakwe lost his job at The Hindu newpaper where he had spent the last six years working as Photo Editor.
Having worked as a journalist for 25 years, he tried looking for a job, but was unsuccessful.
"I wanted to document the social development that is happening now. The work NGOs are doing for social change. But there is no recruitment for photo journalists now," Prashant, who previously worked at The Times of India, tells A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com.
A fortnight later, Prashant and his wife Hemangi started a small business from his home serving homecooked vegetarian thaalis for people living in his area.
"I didn't want to sit idle because I know that will not be good for me. My wife wanted to start this business four years ago, but she could not do it alone," days Prashant.
The couple didn't spend a lot of time deliberating about their choices. They were sure they could deliver delicious food as Hemangi is a passionate cook. The only thing they were uncertain was the response.
When they started, they did not know a lot of people who lived in their area in Matunga.
On June 6, they started 'Hema's Veg Rasoi' an Instagram account with a photograph of their vegetarian thaali'. Prashant's friend Raj Kamble helped with the artwork.
Gradually, Prashant and Hemangi promoted their business on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
"Friends, reporters, colleagues spread the word and we launched on July 13, 2020," he says.
They source groceries from the Sahakari Bhandar, a state government-operated department store, near their home. Hemangi gets her spices from self help groups and her parents.
Prashant believes Hemangi inherited the skills from her 75-year old=mother who sells pickles and is a wonderful cook.
"She sold 150 kg of pickle in the last one year. The pickles were all made at home by her," he says.
They maintain a very clean kitchen to assure their customers that the food is safe. "It is home cooked food and so naturally we maintain a high standard of hygiene." The food containers are sanitised before packing food.
"As a journalist I have eaten in so many restaurants, we also check online menus, we know our costs, we give competitive rates," he says about the pricing.
The one issue weighing on his mind is the huge EMI he has to pay for his housing loan. "I have savings which will last for a few months, I did not get severance pay," he adds regretfully.
The business that is still young has not grown enough to manage their expenses. Prashant believes that people want good food and their thaali is well liked, but once restaurants reopen, their business will suffer.
On an average, Hemangi and Prashant sell 4 to 5 thaalis a day. Some days they have sold a dozen thaalis and there were days when they didn't receive a single order.
As Hemangi is keen, the couple plans to continue developing it post the lockdown. Once Prashant gets a regular job, he will go back to work, but this business will continue.
After the pandemic ends, the couple plans to allow small groups of 5 to 6 people to come to their home and eat.
"We make healthy food," Prashant emphasises, "not fast food or junk food."
Lost your job? Please tell us what happened, and how you are coping with this unexpected setback in your life. Write to us at getahead@rediff.co.in with the subject line 'I lost my job'. Thank you!
