The disappearing ilks

As we become more and more contemporary, embracing new technology and development, there are many professions which have fallen victims to these changes. The demise of the brokers on stock exchanges is a well-known fact. Very soon, we might hear of fewer and fewer real estate agents – the ubiquitous man, with his handbag clutched under his armpit. With websites now doing all the buying an selling of properties, this ilk will also soon completely disappear.

Then we used to have these vegetable vendors who used to walk the streets, shouting and urging us to buy his tomatoes, brinjals and onions. This too is fast disappearing. Remember the guy carrying a big tin box, stuffed to the hilt with ‘rusks’, ‘kharis’ and mouthwatering naankhatis? Well, they too seem to have all but disappeared.

The goldsmiths are another lot who have literally gone bust. In the olden days, say even till say  5 to 7 years ago, all gold in a family used to be bought from the family or locality’s goldsmith. The relationship was built over generations. That too has disappeared with big shops and brands opening their showrooms all across cities and creating a brand equity. Many of these goldsmiths have now either become security guards or daily-wage workers and gold appraisers in jewellery stores and banks.  

Now the trend is online grocery shopping? So in the years ahead, say a decade from now, will these local baniyas also disappear, become a relic of the past?