The Other Side: Ragpickers rejoice as Muharram mourners leave behind trail of Plastic Bottles
‘Discarded water bottles turn into unexpected earnings for dozens of migrant waste collectors’
By: Our special Correspondent
Srinagar: As thousands of mourners marched through central Srinagar for the 8th Muharram procession, a quieter but no less determined group worked in the background — ragpickers, who turned the discarded remains of devotion into a day’s livelihood.
Plastic water bottles and disposable glasses, left behind by the sweltering crowd braving intense summer heat, became a treasure trove for dozens of waste collectors who moved swiftly from Jehangir Chowk to Dalgate.
“We collected so many empty plastic water bottles since early morning — they fetch good rates in the market. We’ve made our day and can feed our families for a few days without worry,” said Ramesh, a ragpicker from Bihar. Along with dozens of companions, he toiled in the heat, filling sack after sack with the remnants of hydration.
Poornima, a middle-aged ragpicker from Uttar Pradesh, echoed his joy. “People walk past us, some look down on us, but today we were the lucky ones. I haven’t collected this much plastic in a single day for months.”
For Amir, a young collector from Jharkhand who moved to Kashmir two years ago, the haul was more than plastic — it was sustenance. “These bottles are like gold for us. Every kilogram means more food for my siblings. The crowd was large, and the water was free — that helped us.”
Manoj, a ragpicker in Srinagar for over five years, said big events offer rare opportunities. “Whenever there’s a gathering like this, we make sure to be there early. We may not be part of the event, but we benefit in our own way.”
The 8th Muharram procession, held under strict security, saw thousands participating despite scorching temperatures. Authorities made arrangements like sprinkling water on roads to provide some relief.
Additionally, sabeels (refreshment stalls) were set up at multiple locations by J&K Police, NGOs, and members of the Sunni community, offering free cold beverages and drinking water to mourners as part of the age-old practice of sectarian harmony. These stalls not only served as lifelines to the crowd but also inadvertently boosted the ragpickers’ collection of bottles and cups.
While the event underscored deep religious significance and public solidarity, it also reflected the everyday struggle of those working in the informal waste sector. For many ragpickers, the day’s collection translated into earnings of Rs 200 to Rs 400 — enough to buy ration or pay part of the rent.
Environmentalists, however, warn against complacency. “These workers do what the formal system often fails to — clean up after us,” said a local environmental activist. “But this isn’t sustainable. Large public gatherings must plan for proper waste segregation and promote eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastic.”
Still, for the ragpickers, July 4 was a rare good day. “We don’t usually get noticed,” Ramesh said with a smile, hoisting a heavy sack onto his shoulder. “But today, we walked behind the crowd — and left with full bags and full hearts.”
