Seven women auctioneers have carved a niche for themselves at Kakinada harbour in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
These seven women have shattered another glass ceiling. With their distinctive skills, they have created a unique identity for themselves and dictate terms in the domestic trade of the fish catch that arrives in the Kakinada harbour.
Conquering another male bastion, these women have become successful women auctioneers, whose task is to conduct auction of the fish meant for the local market. The Kakinada harbour, thriving with nearly 600 registered fishing boats, has 65 auctioneers, including these seven women.
We charge ?10 or ?20 for our service of conducting the auction of each bunch of fish. At the end of the day, the daily income is not less than ?200. The trade completes within two hours everyday, Patta Padmavati told The Hindu.
The seven women auctioneers Chekka Dhana Lakshmi, Venkata Lakshmi, Devi, Nallamma, Kameswari, Ganga and Ms. Padmavathi belong to Janadipuram village near the harbour. All of them are non-literate and belong to the fisherfolk community.
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