To bring awareness among paani puri vendors, Congress Member of Parliament Sanjay Nirupam recently held a cleanliness and hygiene campaign in Mumbai. This event followed the shocking news of a paani puri vendor being caught on camera urinating into a jug kept on his food cart.Around 100 vendors hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar gathered to take lessons in how to keep their cartsclean and hygienic. Towels and gloves were distributed to them for free, as a ‘clean’ gesture.
Speaking to Clean India Journal, Nirupam said, “It is time to lay down certain guidelines and ensure that highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained by the paani puri vendors. We are distributing cloth napkins, cooking caps, plastic gloves and pamphlets, so that they realize the importance of keeping clean. This will help the vendors to restart their business without compromising on the quality of the food served at their stalls.”
During the cleanliness drive, one of the paani puri vendors from Santa Cruz, Uday Shankar told CIJ that he very well understood the importance of cleanliness. “I ensure that the food stall and the surrounding area are kept clean. Even my patrons look forward to food prepared in a clean and hygienic environment. That is why even the towel I use for wiping my hands is changed at least thrice a day. I also discard the water used for washing every other hour.”
Well! How many paani puri vendors are like Uday Shankar?
