Raigad Survivors!
The COVID lockdown hit economy hard. While Mumbai struggled to survive, neighbouring Raigad’s entrepreneurs, despite losing jobs, chose to slug it out. They set up shop and thrived. Here go a few inspiring profiles, curated by Manu Shrivastava
Super Service At Awas
In the quaint village of Awas, a sharp contrast from the hustle-bustle of most other beach villages in the zone, Minakshi Rane's vada-pav 'corner' lies bang opposite the Gram Panchayat building, the hub of all action in the village.
And, if not for the batata vada, one would return for her infectious smile!"
In the quaint village of Awas, a sharp contrast from the hustle-bustle of most other beach villages in the zone, Minakshi Rane's vada-pav 'corner' lies bang opposite the Gram Panchayat building, the hub of all action in the village.
Locals and regular visitors, mostly from Mumbai, living in cottages or bungalows in Awas or nearby villages, can't help but rush to Minakshi's stall for a serving of hot and delicious batata vada, especially in mornings and evenings.
"I started this stall about ten years ago when my daughter Bhumi was born. Business started picked up only after about two years when I took charge completely and full time."
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| One-woman-army Minakshi Rane does it all, by herself, at Awas |
The number of tourists coming to Awas has increased and so has a floating population of migrant workers and labourers. "Whoever eats these vadas with my special mango chutney, simply has to return to eat more."
And, if not for the batata vada, one would return for her infectious smile!"
I also make misal pav and dabeli. Then there is Chinese food but that's available only in the evenings." Minakshi starts her day as early as seven in the morning on holidays and weekends to prepare for the day.
Today, Kihim Beach is one of the most popular holiday and recreational destinations in Raigad. Amid the buzz of beach activities are the local women who, quickly but quietly, put things in order at their food stalls to be ready for the swarm of tourists arriving, especially on holidays and weekends.
Managing everything by themselves, from shopping to cooking and cleaning, these hard-working women never forget to give a smile.
And so has Ashwini Pawar, who easily spends 12 hours daily preparing and serving food and snacks to tourists.
The Best At Dhokawade
For Mumbaikars making a trip to Alibaug via sea landing at Mandwa Port or Revas Jetty, the snacks stall run by brothers Pratish and Bhushan Malvi is the perfect spot to binge on freshly prepared vada, samosa and kadak chai!
Located on the road from Mandwa/Revas to Alibaug, in Dhokawade, the outlet is a favourite among the locals as well as regular visitors who make it a point to stop for a snack before heading out to Alibaug or further.
The brothers opened the stall in late 2019 and, immediately after, owing to the lockdown, they had to shut it.
"I always wanted to do something of my own, but circumstances didn't allow. My daughters were also very young, and I wanted to give all my time to them," says Nidhi. "I had a knack for beauty and creativity...would always try make-up, mehndi, etc. with friends. Later I did a course as well from Alibaug."
When the daughters were old enough, she decided to fulfill her dream and opened a beauty parlour. "It was not easy. I was very nervous...there were doubts about the start-up whether it will work or not as Awas is a rural area and the parlour is located in our residential complex."
Husband Nimish, who runs a homestay in nearby Chondhi, supported and came to her rescue, even did the interiors of her parlour. "I have always been confident of her abilities. Today, she manages work and home very well and her clientele has been on the increase," he says.
At Thal, It Has To Be MD
A one-woman army, she does it all by herself...prepares the raw material, cooks even serves to the seemingly never-ending lines of customers waiting to snack on her mouth-watering dishes!
Wonder Women At Kihim Beach
Wonder Women At Kihim Beach
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| An ever-smiling Smita Pachange at her stall at Kihim Beach |
Managing everything by themselves, from shopping to cooking and cleaning, these hard-working women never forget to give a smile.
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| Aparna Salunkhe takes no breaks |
You simply can’t miss the sight of a talkative Smita Pachange who runs a stall at the beach. If you're lucky, you may even find her nine-year-old son Aarush assisting his mother.
"I started this business nine years ago. The footfalls have increased over the years, and so has the work but I can't complain," she says as she talks about the many 'things to do' in the zone.
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| Ashwini Pawar loves to cook and feed people |
For Aparna Salunkhe, resting is an alien concept. Managing the food stall at the beach for almost two decades from morning till evening, she has lived half of her life here.
And so has Ashwini Pawar, who easily spends 12 hours daily preparing and serving food and snacks to tourists.
The Best At Dhokawade
For Mumbaikars making a trip to Alibaug via sea landing at Mandwa Port or Revas Jetty, the snacks stall run by brothers Pratish and Bhushan Malvi is the perfect spot to binge on freshly prepared vada, samosa and kadak chai!
Located on the road from Mandwa/Revas to Alibaug, in Dhokawade, the outlet is a favourite among the locals as well as regular visitors who make it a point to stop for a snack before heading out to Alibaug or further.
The brothers opened the stall in late 2019 and, immediately after, owing to the lockdown, they had to shut it.
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| Bhushan and Pratish Malvi (right) sell the best vada-pav in the area |
"We had loaned money to start this and had to pay the rent also with no income coming. It was a very difficult time," says Pratish. Bhushan adds, "Eventually, we started opening the shop so locals could buy food. The cops would come and close it by 11 am. That time we were running the place with no worker, just the two of us."
Now they can afford to hire help to assist at the shop. "But, even today, we prepare all the stuffing ourselves for the vada and samosa."
Bhushan is a trained singer and Pratish a wrestler. They started the shop in crisis but with their positive attitude and a happy demeanour, they have managed to develop loyal customers who vouch for the best vada in town!
Awas Showcases Parlour Power
They say where there's a will, there's a way. It can't be more apt for the Parab couple who despite the odds have managed to start, grow and diversify their business. Awas-based Nimish and Nidhi Parab are a formidable tag team.
They have supported each other through the ups and downs of life in personal and professional spheres since they got married in 2003. Living in a quaint 'wadi' surrounded, with huge mango trees and a well, with daughters Ishwari and Nakshatra, the couple have always managed to make the best out of the worst.
Bhushan is a trained singer and Pratish a wrestler. They started the shop in crisis but with their positive attitude and a happy demeanour, they have managed to develop loyal customers who vouch for the best vada in town!
Awas Showcases Parlour Power
They say where there's a will, there's a way. It can't be more apt for the Parab couple who despite the odds have managed to start, grow and diversify their business. Awas-based Nimish and Nidhi Parab are a formidable tag team.
They have supported each other through the ups and downs of life in personal and professional spheres since they got married in 2003. Living in a quaint 'wadi' surrounded, with huge mango trees and a well, with daughters Ishwari and Nakshatra, the couple have always managed to make the best out of the worst.
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| Nimish Parab with daughters Nakshatra, Ishwari and wife Nidhi |
When the daughters were old enough, she decided to fulfill her dream and opened a beauty parlour. "It was not easy. I was very nervous...there were doubts about the start-up whether it will work or not as Awas is a rural area and the parlour is located in our residential complex."
Husband Nimish, who runs a homestay in nearby Chondhi, supported and came to her rescue, even did the interiors of her parlour. "I have always been confident of her abilities. Today, she manages work and home very well and her clientele has been on the increase," he says.
At Thal, It Has To Be MD
Shailesh Dalvi's journey is that of grit and determination. He entered the hotel line "as a cashier, developed a keen interest in cooking" and grabbed the first opportunity to start his own eatery when he moved from Panvel and opened MD Kitchen in April 2021 at Thal near Navgaon Phata.
"I came here because the rent was less and I had to take care of my ailing parents," he says.
In the beginning, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, he mostly got orders for food parcels and deliveries.
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| Shailesh Dalvi with wife Devki at MD Kitchen |
Later, word started getting out and "more people started visiting to eat popular items like biryani, chicken koliwada, etc."
After marriage to Devki in February 2022, he now has a partner who shares his dream. The two battle the odds while running a business together, happily!
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