“Thukpa is what people reach for when they are sick, or cold, or missing something they cannot name”
—Passang Dolma, who runs a Tibetan eatery in Dhondenling
Everyday Locavores
“We have always lived on these islands and gone to sea. How can the state say it does not belong to us?”
—S. Pandiammal, 44, Rameswaram
![“[These manuscripts are] our heritage—we must preserve it”](https://i0.wp.com/thelocavore.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Isbah.jpeg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1)
“[These manuscripts are] our heritage—we must preserve it”
—Isbah Khan, Persian scholar, Rampur
“If the water turns fresh, what happens to this cycle? How can it be a sustaining project?”
—Narayanan R., fisherman and activist, Kovalam Kuppam
![“Because [we don’t have] qualifications, they give us less money.”](https://i0.wp.com/thelocavore.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Devender-EL3-scaled.jpeg?fit=800%2C1067&ssl=1)
“Because [we don’t have] qualifications, they give us less money.”
—Devender Kumar Range, a compost worker in Sonipat
“I knew the food cultures of Ukhrul could find a place here.”
— Shirik Chingri, who runs Indigenous Basket, a shop in Bengaluru
“This ensures I get some money every day to light my stove”
“This ensures I get some money every day to light my stove”—Kesar Londhe, Wastepicker, Pune
Kalpana Padmakar’s aspirations are clear: a bigger hotel serving her fish-based delicacies—“someday”
—Kalpana Padmakar, who runs Koli Katta, a small kitchen serving Koli-style fish, rice, and chapatis.
“There’s a stark difference in how people live here”
—Ram Nivas, who runs a bhelpuri-sevpuri-jhaalmuri stall