MUNIRKA, an urban village in South Delhi, is strategically located between two premier institutes — Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. Surrounded by Vasant Vihar to the northwest, RK Puram to the north, and Ber Sarai to the south, the locality enjoys excellent connectivity through the Outer Ring Road. Currently, the nearest metro station is Hauz Khas, making Munirka easily accessible from different parts of the national capital.
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Once known for making headlines for the wrong reasons, Munirka has transformed into a significant hub for the Northeast community. It has become a home for many, fostering a unique blend of cultures, particularly in the interactions between Northeast residents and local Brahmin landlords. While cultural differences sometimes cause friction — particularly over culinary habits — economic necessity ensures a continued coexistence. Many landlords here depend on rental income, even if they struggle to adjust to the lifestyles brought in by their Northeast tenants.
For
example, a young woman who runs a small grocery shop in Munirka shared, “I cook
Ngari (fermented fish) by sealing it in plastic and boiling it in water to
prevent its strong aroma from escaping — this is the safest method I've found.
If my landlord smells it, he might kick me out!”
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In a place where “Rome was not built
in a day” seems irrelevant, Munirka’s rapid urbanization is evident.
Construction work often takes place overnight, and by morning, new buildings
emerge as if built in an instant. The rapid transformation of Munirka has
created an environment where commerce thrives, particularly among Northeast
entrepreneurs.
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A survey conducted over several days revealed that Munirka hosts at least 19 grocery shops run by Northeast residents, alongside a showroom, a counselling centre, and a privately operated hostel-cum-discipleship centre. Each of these businesses contributes to the local economy and supports families back home.
Stories
of Resilience
Sennu, 27, arrived in Delhi in
2007. She left her sales job and opened a shop on 23 May 2013. Renting a small
shop, about 4x5 feet, at Rs 3,500 per month, she earns her livelihood and
supports her family back home. Sennu, who lives with her younger sister who
works in a showroom, said that both of them send money to their brother, three
sisters, and mother. Their father passed away 24 years ago. Sennu hails from
Mezephem Town in Nagaland. Her store is packed with items like bamboo shoots,
dried mushrooms, brooms, Naga hot chillies, and betel leaves, which are
imported from Nagaland. She says, “It is not easy to survive here because the
rents are too high. We end up with almost nothing. But we try our best to save
small amounts for our family.”
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She buys a packet of Tide
detergent containing five pieces for Rs 46 and sells each piece for Rs 10. “If
I manage to sell all five pieces at Rs 10 each, my profit is only Rs 4,” she
added. However, she is not discouraged and carefully saves small amounts, which
accumulate over time. “There is no need to work in a showroom. I am both the
boss and the servant in my shop,” she smiled.
Just next to Sennu’s shop, there
is another small shop owned by a young boy named Paotinthang Sithlou, who hails
from Kangchup village in Manipur. He pays Rs 4,000 per month in rent. His shop
stocks all kinds of daily necessities, though no North Eastern products are
available. Sitlhou came to Delhi in 2007 in search of a better job and worked
in a BPO for many years. “By running a small business, I am supporting my wife
and two little children, who are studying in Classes I and II in Imphal. My
parents passed away many years ago,” he said.
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Sitlhou was puzzled by the tactics employed by local suppliers. He explained, “My supplier gives me a tray of eggs containing 30 eggs for Rs 85. I sell five eggs for Rs 20, meaning each egg costs Rs 4. However, in the local shops, you can buy six eggs for Rs 20. Clearly, the local shops receive their supplies at a cheaper rate,” he remarked. “When I questioned my supplier about the difference, he claimed that he treated all shops the same way,” Sitlhou said in disbelief.
A small open space in the heart of Munirka, intersected by four narrow alleys, is humourously called ‘Munirka Airport’ by Northeast residents. It serves as a key landmark where many Northeast-run shops operate.
At Munirka Airport, three North Eastern shops stand – Awon Shop, George Variety Shop, and NE Shop. In Awon Shop, a peculiar item is stored – dried frog, neatly kept in a large box. The shop is run by Awon, a 40-year-old woman from Imphal, who pays Rs 6,000 per month in rent. Her son manages Kainos Travels, a business dealing with flight and railway tickets at reasonable prices. She has been running her shop for two years.
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Next to Awon’s shop is George Variety Store, owned by Thangkhosiam Zou, a 29-year-old from Manipur. He came to Delhi in 2006 to prepare for competitive exams. However, due to financial constraints, he could not pursue his studies and instead worked in a BPO for several years. Later, he got married and opened his shop in October 2012, paying Rs 5,300 per month in rent. His wife works in a restaurant while he manages the shop and cares for their four-year-old child. Despite his responsibilities, he continues to attempt competitive exams. With their limited savings, they also support their parents back home.
“I get a tray of eggs for Rs 85,
sometimes Rs 90. If I sell each egg at Rs 4, we earn a profit of Rs 140 per
tray. But this does not happen all the time,” said Zou, a Political Science
graduate. His monthly expenditure is Rs 10,000–12,000. He sells kom kuva
(Manipuri betel leaves), mushrooms, dried fish, Ngari (fermented fish), bamboo
shoots, chillies, and Jongta (a traditional dish).
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Just to the right of George Variety Store, a Manipuri couple
sells the popular Singju (a mixture of cabbage, chickpeas, and chilli powder),
betel leaves, Ngari, and fried fish. Not far from this shop lies Chung Variety Store, owned by HL Jerry
Misao from Sadar Hills, Manipur. Renting the store at Rs 6,500 per month, he
and his wife sell North Eastern products.
Another well-known shop is North East Telecom, where one can find
betel leaves, fish, and vegetables. A Manipuri boy from Ukhrul village, Tony,
opened this shop back in 2004. He also deals in ticketing for North Eastern
customers. Renting the shop for Rs 5,000 per month, he supports his wife and
two children in Manipur. “We must be kind to everyone, so that everyone will be
kind to us,” Tony said.
Diversity
in Business: Fashion, Food, and More
Just before
reaching North East Telecom, turn left, and you will see a signboard for 12 Nine Fashion, which specialises
in Thailand-made women’s wear, bags, shoes, trousers, tops, dresses, hair clips,
keychains, wallets, and formal attire. All the products are originally imported
from Thailand. This shop was opened in November 2012 by a young Tangkhul woman
named Sharon Achui, whose husband works in a BPO. Their items are stylish and
attractive.
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Another young couple, Thangboi
Kipgen and his wife, manage a small shop in one corner of Munirka. He works in
a BPO, while his wife takes care of the shop. They have been renting it for Rs 4,500
since March this year. Kipgen and his wife hail from Sadar Hills. He came to
Delhi in 2010 in search of work. Kipgen says that Kuva (paan/betel leaves),
Sagop (dried meat), and Sikhar are the most profitable items he sells. “I used
to sell a tray of eggs for Rs 95 or Rs 100 and sometimes at cost price to close
friends.” For those who enjoy betel leaves with a distinct flavour, this shop
offers a special variety — betel leaves packed with five areca nuts, five
leaves, and pieces of coconut, which enhance the taste.
“One packet of Sikhar costs Rs 225
and contains 60 pieces. When I sell each piece for Rs 5, I make a profit of Rs 75.
This is the highest-selling item,” Kipgen said. On his days off, he assists his
wife in the shop. In all the Northeast-run shops in Munirka, a Zarda
Paan costs Rs 8, but sellers say there is hardly a profit of Rs 2 to Rs
3 per piece.
Next to Kipgen’s store, two young
sisters from Motbung, Manipur, run a small shop. They pay Rs 4,000 in rent and
sell all kinds of edible items. Boineng (23) manages the shop daily, while her
elder sister works in a showroom. Both came to Delhi in 2009 for work.
Meanwhile, one sister and two brothers remain at home with their mother, as
their father passed away years ago. When asked about their situation, they
shared that they are unable to send much money home to their mother.
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In another corner of the locality,
a young DU graduate manages a shop owned by her sister. The shop, named NE Store, is run by M. Paulun Zou,
who hails from Phailian village in Churachandpur, Manipur. He sells cold drinks,
soap, sugar, betel leaves, sweets, and other goods. Zou is the fourth of seven
siblings, and his parents are unemployed. They have been renting the shop for Rs
6,000 per month since October last year. Zou completed his BSc in Physical
Sciences from DU. Since his sister works in the retail industry, he took up
managing the shop, he said.
Calvin Store, with a rent of Rs 1,200 per month, also sells
food items and vegetables. There are three more shops in the vicinity — one
owned by a woman, another selling poori, and a CD shop. One of the
most talked-about businesses is Michael’s, which operates from two
rented basement rooms where a variety of vegetables and fish are available.
Initially, Michael managed the shop alone, but as customer traffic increased,
he had to hire assistants. He began selling vegetables in Sikanderpur, Gurgaon,
in 2008.
The rest of the shops have similar
stories — it is perhaps better left unsaid.
Support and Shelter
Not only are
there shops, but also a counselling centre, ‘Jesiah Community Centre’, which supports drug addicts, HIV/AIDS
patients, sex workers, TB patients, and others. This centre was established by
Awmtea Sailo, a former drug user from Manipur who later recovered. “Now I want
to do good for those who were once like me,” said Sailo, who runs the centre
with his wife, Sylvie.
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Free medical treatment, counselling, and other services were provided to those in need. There is one NE Hostel-cum-Discipleship Centre in Munirka, where students can stay safely and securely. A young man from Arunachal has started a PG Girls’ Accommodation in North Campus, and Jocelyn Home, run by a Mizo, is also located in South Delhi.
Despite cultural challenges and economic hurdles, Munirka continues to be a thriving commercial hub for Northeast entrepreneurs. From grocery stores and fashion boutiques to travel agencies and restaurants, the community has established a strong presence. While high rents and supply chain disparities remain concerns, resilience and innovation help these business owners sustain their livelihoods and support their families back home.
For
new Northeast migrants arriving in Delhi, Munirka remains a familiar and
welcoming space, offering a sense of belonging in the bustling metropolis. As
one senior advised, “If you get lost anywhere in Delhi, head for Munirka — you will find
many faces like yours”.
New Delhi, Thu, Nov 28, 2013
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