Do Gujaratis eat fish? What happens to all the fish caught in the coastal areas of Gujarat? What do seafood lovers in Gandhinagar do? How far is the nearest coast from Gandhinagar? How far is the nearest fish market in Gandhinagar? Which restaurant serves fish in Gandhinagar? These were few of the questions I have and share with few of classmates in my college. Fish being such a rare commodity in GN (Gandhinagar) I was surprised to hear about a fish market in GN. Actually it was mentioned to me by a farmer we visited for the same community project. Driven by curiosity about how they manage to get fish and sell it in GN I ventured to the fish market near the Chiloda circle.
Finding the place is a puzzle itself after roaming for ten minutes and numerous questions I tracked the fish market hidden among the trees. It is a very small market place with just three sellers and occasional helpers from their respective families. All of them are in the trade for the past 5-6 years. Ibrahim Bhai, Manju Bhen and Dhanu Bhen the three sellers in the market right now. They don’t have a license expect Manju Bhen (but it is of no use - in her own words), it’s an illegal settlement. They are harassed regularly by the police, notification department on a regular basis. No matter what the weather condition is the traders sit there from morning 9 to evening 7.
I was quite surprised to find so many varieties of fish. The traders get their ‘maal’ (as they call it) from the Ahmadabad main meat and fish market. Usually the fish comes from Porbandhar or from the local dam. All three of them set out early morning every day by an Auto to the main market to get the fish. They pay 300 rupees everyday for the auto. On an average they buy maal for 1000-1500 rupees mainly on credit and sell them for 2000 rupees. After all the expenses they make a small profit of 200 to 300 rupees. The profits are not on a regular basis. They don’t compete with each other.
Rohu, Silver, Surmai, Neimeen, Zinga, Pomprets are offered in a regular basis. On rare occasions people are lucky to get Crabs and other exotic varieties. There is a surprising number of south Indians specially malyalees in GN who are the regulars. In fact the fishes are categorised as madarasi fish and Gujarati fish by Manju Bhen.
It’s a small and an interesting community and they are quite helpful. I am really looking forward to meeting them again.
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