As the scorching summer temperatures peak in Chennai, locals and passers-by are finding solace in a cone of ice cream, particularly families with children in tow. Shanti, who manages the Aavin ice cream pushcart outside Anna Nagar Tower Park, reflects on the season’s significance, stating, “This is our most profitable time. We typically earn around ₹2,000 a day, although as it’s a company product, our take-home pay is about ₹750. This boost is significant for us, especially considering we struggle to make even ₹500 during the rainy season.”
Operating from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Shanti and fellow vendors near Anna Nagar Tower Park cater to the evening crowd. Meanwhile, Manoj Kumar commences his kulfi business around 11 p.m., traversing the streets of Kolathur until the early hours. “I start with 100 pieces of kulfi on my cycle, ringing the bell as I navigate from Lakshmi Nagar, weaving through both small and main thoroughfares. Sometimes, I conclude my sales by 2 a.m. During summer, the demand for kulfi is at its peak,” he adds.
