WARANGAL: For a few small-time businessmen in Telangana region, the ongoing separate state movement is not all about sentiment but a few business opportunities as well. Though the T-movement has not picked up the desired momentum yet, roadside vendors, petty traders and small farmers in Warangal district, however, are smiling thanks to the `orders' they are getting from the leaders and protestors. Sources said with the orders for flowers, screen and flexi banners, tents and mikes going up, the vendors and owners of these shops are earning more than their daily wages. Marginal farmers in the suburban areas are earning a little more with their dry grass bundles bought by the T-protesters to use them to burn effigies of leaders and government.
With students, employees and JAC activists purchasing a large number of flower bundles to garland their comrades sitting in the relay hunger strike camps, the flower vendors are doing a roaring business. "My flower business has seen a three-fold increase in the last 15 days," said Sayyed Afzal of Hanamkonda. "We are happy that our daily earnings have indeed gone up thanks to the sale of garlands," said Mohd Sharif, a small flower vendor at Dargah in Kazipet.
Kaloji Centre, which is famous for its special Telangana tea, is a beehive of activity with no less than one lakh protestors assembling at the spot to have cups of piping hot tea. Tea vendor Sadanandam's face lights up when you mention about the T-movement. "We are all stakeholders in the T-agitation. But I have to earn well to feed my family. With thousands of protestors assembling near my small shop every day, I do earn more than my routine earnings," he said.
Similarly, those in the tent business claim that their business has picked up thanks to the T-stir. Veeresham, owner of a tent shop at Ramnagar in Hanamkonda, said the business was better than the marriage season last year. He said at every nook and corner in Warangal city, the protesting leaders are setting up small tents to take the T-movement forward and sensitise the people. "Even a small profit would give a fillip to my business and I am able to keep my family happy," he smiled.
A professor in Kakatiya University said thanks to the agitation, some sections of the society are benefited.
