Feeling the heat? Cool down here!

By Faris Arakkal The rattling of vehicles comes to a halt here, on the road side. Most of them apply breaks here to relax this scorching heat. The trees along the roadside of Puzhakkal padam opposite to the Lulu Convention Centre has become a hub for refreshment of travellers. Roadside vendors with a wide variety of edibles await them. The road which meets the highway brings numerous passengers a day, most of them on a long drive. Roadside vendors have their kitty full of summer's popular choices like sugar cane, water-melon, lemon juice and fruits. "Travellers walk in here not only to wet their throats but also to experience a breeze," says Unnikrishnan who sells bottled mangoes and amlas seasoned in salt here. He comes here in the morning around eight and leaves by six in the evening. But when monsoon reigns supreme, he has to find another work for the daily bread. However, for Biju, who is running a fruit shop for the last 13 years, has no other means of income, so he will earn his bread here itself in the monsoon too. "It's a means of my livelihood, not profit," says Biju. They exploit the sweltering heat but not the travellers, adds Biju. The easy parking slot adds to the luxury of these vendors. The pilgrimage seasons are the times when both road sides are swarmed by vehicles. Tired heavy vehicle drivers have the lucky chances to doze off under the shades. Sharafuddeen has come down to Thrissur from Kottakkal to sell small gadgets like pipes and air pumps. For him, it is easy to occupy a space here under the shade as he would not be caught under the snarling traffic in the city. All vendors bring water from the nearby public water supply at Muthuvara. When monsoon adds misery to their life, they are more worried about the changes that may be enforced by the authorities.