The hidden waste-pickers

waste mart shop behind Velankanni Church, Besant Nagar

Anyone passing the area of 'Besant Nagar', mainly has two attractions, first the beach (which has sharing border with the Bay of Bengal) and the Kalakshetra (trains young women and men in the classical performing arts). However, many of the residents doesn't know that there are also some hidden environmentalists also living for purpose, often called waste-pickers.


With slum people living on the seashore; and with shops flanking on both sides of the road; and the smell of the fish pungent that attract passers-by; behind the Velankanni church, Mr. Michael, of Michael waste paper mart, says that, "We have three branches in this area alone. It's family business." "without us, the city would collapse."

For them it's not just a business but they also understand the importance of the area, waste, and how it is working. They accumulate newspapers or boxes strewn in their house. And yet, these shops are always a safe distance from the residential portion of the locality. 

It is almost confusing as why they would be hidden away or absent from mainstream Besant Nagar for what it meant to be. By being hidden, they let us enjoy the watste-free open space to us. If we ‘unhidden’ them and they gain the legitimacy that they don’t have.