Sidra business in Dharan: respect to ancestors, decent living

By Nisha Rai, Dharan, Dec.5: Debaki Khadka of Purano Bazaar, Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City-3, has been making a living by selling sidra fish (dried fish) for the last 27 years. 

Purano bazaar is the oldest bazaar in Dharan-3 therefore it is so named- purano means old.. 

She said, "The Newari people have long been trading in the area. Even though there is a managed business, many prefer to sell openly rather than rent a place. It is done so because it is a memento of ancestors and is selling goods as well."

Another trader, Manaka Shahi has been doing sidra business for the last 20 years emulating her ancestors. Prakash Shahi is also added to the list for the last four years. 

According to them, around 3 kgs to 5kgs of Sidra gets sold yielding handsome earnings leading a leisurely hand to making a good living. 

Manaka Shahi said, "It has been 20 years in business. I never had to pivot to other business prospects nor had to beg on streets as sidra business yields good income". 

fish farming is seasonal in Nepal from the rainy season to July to November. Fish is imported from places of India for the rest of the year. 

"Earlier, an abundance of fish were found in river and water streams but nowadays many are found fish farming in ponds," said Shahi.  

Prakash Shahi said, ''Time has changed. Nowadays, rather than seeking fish in water streams, people do fish farming so most of the fish are grown. Only some fishes brought from villages are naturally grown stream fishes."

He said that the sidra business is one among many ancient businesses done by ancestors and we are sustaining it further. Others are selling fish by renting a place but we are doing as it is emulating our ancestor way of conducting business. 

He said that there are around 12-18 types of fish that are sold in the market according to the season. The lowest cost range is of sidra fish which is Rs 600 per kg and the costliest is Jhinge fish (shrimps) which is around Rs 1200 per kg. 

Usha Shah said that since the Purano bazaar is the oldest in the area, it was used to transport goods and materials in hilly districts of the eastern region. It is the same now as well. Not only across the country but dried fishes are exported outside of the country in Hong Kong, UK. 

She said that she earns from Rs 4,000 to Rs 10,000 a day. Even though income fluctuates a suitable living can be earned from it.

The fish market opens from 8 AM to 8 PM.