Ranchi: A socio-cultural outfit on Sunday started distributing disposable gloves to golgappa sellers in the capital as a response to the outbreak of chikungunya and dengue.
The 10-member team of city-based Target Centre Society is distributing 1,000 pairs of gloves among street food vendors in the capital, starting from Morabadi.
Social worker Girija Shanker Periwal, among the Target Centre Society team distributing gloves among golgappa sellers in Morabadi on Sunday afternoon, said, "Social worker Ashwini Rajgarhia has given us the disposable gloves. We are distribute them among vendors. If possible, the work will be done today (Sunday). If not, we will continue the exercise tomorrow (Monday) as well," Periwal said.
His colleague Runa Mishra said the exercise was an effort to draw the attention of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) toward making it mandatory for all street food vendors to use gloves. She said mayor Asha Lakra should ensure this step was taken for the sake of hygiene.
In front of this correspondent, his team mate Priya Verman told golgappa seller Sanjao Sao to wear gloves while mashing potatoes for the filling, dipping the golgappa in tamarind water, and serving the customer.
"Please pay proper attention to cleanliness. The city is in the grip of chikungunya and dengue. Use gloves always to avoid contaminating the golgappa you prepare," Verman said.
Though Sao admitted that mashing potatoes with spices would be difficult initially with a glove on, he said he would try it out.
"I will use it. It is good people are getting serious about the health of the city," he said.
Not all were as conscientious. One golgappa seller kept the gloves in his pocket.
"I'm feeling awkward working with gloves on. My speed is getting hampered. I will consult others and then use it," golgappa seller Pachu Saw Singh said.
A second-year student of IIM-Ranchi Sunil Kumar, who was munching on golgappa, praised the initiative.
"I am from Calcutta. In my city, many famous golgappa sellers wear plastic gloves and caps. It is a hygienic habit. Hopefully, Ranchi vendors will also adopt this habit," the B-school student said.
