Abstract
Gender- or caste-based segmentation within the informal sector economy is a well-documented phenomenon. However, no systematic study exists on the subject of spatial segmentation in the urban informal market. Considerations on disparity levels—usually the chief motivation behind studies on caste or gender—are not paramount here; our prime concern involves rather the mechanisms leading (or not) to such a segmentation within a small sector of the urban economy. Also, the main aim of this paper is not so much to find out if there is spatial segmentation but to identify the underlying causes behind the entry into the market. The street food market is selected as field of study because of the strong cultural identity associated with food. A primary survey with 185 samples was conducted in New Delhi. Sampling was done purposively for nine large markets and within the market; all vendors of selected food items were surveyed. Although a structured questionnaire is in the survey, a large part of the processes aiming at understanding the phenomenon were based on qualitative interactions with the responders rather than strictly quantitative information. The major findings of the study show a strong regional identity imbued in the food. Stream migration from particular regions to New Delhi is identified as the driving force behind the segregation found in the food market and between food vendors. Further probing shows that the vendors’ entry into the market is done on the basis of social contact between related individuals and social groups, which includes financial aid to the new arrivals; the mechanism lying behind occupational segregation in the informal labour market is also shown.
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Notes
- 1.
A thin oval pancake prepared from a fermented batter of rice and black gram. Arguably, the dish originated from Udupi, Karnataka, and is popular in the South Indian cuisine.
- 2.
A steamed bite-sized dumpling filled with vegetable or meat stuffing. It is originated from Nepal and was traditionally popular in Sikkim, North Bengal and Assam.
- 3.
Panipuri (also known as phoolki, golgappa, puchka) is a crispy ball made from wheat or semolina hollowed to fill a spiced potato mixture topped with tamarind water. This savoury dish originated in the Magadha region of South Bihar and is presently popular all across the country.
- 4.
Chole bhature is a combination of chole (parboiled chickpeas sautéed in spiced Indian masala) and fried bread made from refined flour; it is popularly eaten as breakfast in North-Western India.
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Kundu, A., Dutta, S. (2020). Migration and Entry to Urban Street Food Market: A Study of Selected Street Food Vendors in Delhi. In: Bandyopadhyay, S., Pathak, C., Dentinho, T. (eds) Urbanization and Regional Sustainability in South Asia. Contemporary South Asian Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23796-7_4
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