“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”’
~ Eleanor Roosevelt~October 11, 1884–November 7, 1962) was the First Lady of the United States of America from 1933 to 1945.
While traveling to Batticaloa, it’s very refreshing to witness the firewood carriers, trying to manage a whole load of firewood on their bicycles, and ride through the wind against them. Likewise while being in Batticaloa, we do not fail to catch the images of women making hoppers on the roadside at dusk. Most of us are used to stop by the hopper sellers to taste the instant milk hoppers .
It was a cloudy and sweaty evening in April, when I stopped in Maamangam as soon as I saw the two women making hoppers. The women either individually or in pair sit on the ground and make hoppers. Kerosene, and coconut husk is used to make the fire. Unlike other places, they use fire under and above the hoppers.
“When we use fire on both sides, the hoppers get boiled properly with the steam available, and it tastes better” says Sagayarani Saravanapavan. She began to make hoppers when she was 5 years old. Sagayarani Saravanapavan helped her mother in making and selling hoppers. Now, she comes here daily with her first cousin sister to earn their livelihood. Either of them earns Rs.600/= to Rs.900/= per day. Approximately Rs.500/= is spent for the ingredients. They carry the pots, pans, firewood and the ingredients on the heads, because they cannot afford to hire a vehicle to transport the items to their business place. They have a lot of dreams for their children.
Sculpture of the Kopuram of Sri Siththy Vinayagar Aalayam in Maamangam
"I have five children. I do not have any other income, other than what I earn by making and selling hoppers. I have some regular customers" said Sagayarani Saravanapavan (42)
They hardly have any savings
Ingredients are brought from home, and the hoppers are made here
A passer by is seen buying instant hoppers
Heating the pan from atop and below is a specialty here. The demand for milk hoppers are on the increase
The hearty hoppers are perfectly steamed with puffed creamy centre and crispy golden brown edges; A pair of milk hopper is sold for Rs.15/=
They stay here for long hours
They struggle to provide a better living standard for their children
They are to stay here, despite the hot weather
