Hawking Kakwa Watin braving the scorching heat
Source: Hueiyen News Service / N Sanajaoba
Imphal, October 06 2011:
People who have tasted it keep taking its name �Kakwa Watin, but those who have not had the opportunity to taste this mouth watering snack keep wishing for someone to come by their door selling it.
They need not worry for their prayers will be answered in the form of the duo Patma and Lata who go around in the streets and bylanes of Imphal and its surrounding areas riding their bicycles to deliver the Kakwa Watin.
The inseparable duo have never gone alone ever since they entered the field no matter what, if one one fell ill or the other had some urgent work to attend to both skipped their rounds for the day.
They carry on their business for their sustainability with a bicycle carrying a message of hard working, sincerity and perseverance.
Laiphrakpam Patma (47) wife of L Ratan and Khoisnam Lata (47) wife of Robindro both from Kakwa Maibam Leikai told Hueiyen Lanpao that they used to get Rs 10 as profit per dozen of Kakwa Watin, which they bought from the company at Rs 90 per dozen and sold at Rs 100.But because of the ongoing economic blockade which has crossed two months, the cost price of the Watin has increased to 95 and they are still selling at Rs 100 only.
They began their business when they found it hard to support their families by weaving alone.
Initially, they fell ashamed of their business and could not go to far off places.
However, demand of shopkeepers outside Kawa Maibam Leikai area encouraged them to expand their area of operation.
Within a period of three years, the duo has managed to supply Kakwa Watin to almost every shops and every streets of Malom, Moidangpok, Heinoupok, Uripok and other surrounding areas.
With a minimum profit of Rs 600 per day, the burden of their of supporting their families has been solved.
Patma has two daughters who are married while Lata has a daughter and a son.
Lata's daughter is working as a staff nurse in a hospital in Kolkata and her son is studying Master in Physics in Bangalore.
At first their families did not agree with the idea of a travelling salesman, but gradually they accepted their business since they began to earn a handsome profit day by day.
But even today, when their husbands comes home drunk once in a while they were called names like Watinda Ngaobi (obsessed with Watin) but they the effects of the wine wear off, everything becomes alright, they said.
They emphatically declared that they would choose this profession over any other like selling tablets and intoxicants, even thoughthese were more profitable.
They also expressed their happiness upon learning that some women have taken their path and started selling such local products like them.
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