For Ba couple, Shiu Datt and Pravina Kumari, Diwali yesterday was not like any previous major Festival of Lights.

At least three days a week, the retired couple travel from their Sarava home to Lomolomo in Lautoka to sell mangoes.

Their favourite spot is along the Lomolomo stretch where they get an opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.

Yesterday, the Fiji Sun met up with the couple, who stood in the rain, selling mangoes by the road side.

“Commuters from the Suva area who pass by usually purchase mangoes to take back home,” Ms Kumari said. 

Earnings from mango sales go towards catering for their immediate needs and paying off arrears.

“Normally this would include saving some cash for our Diwali celebration,” she said.

“That plan could not be eventuated this year because we are going through trying times after COVID-19 hit our country.”

This year, they marked Diwali in a special way as they sat inside their home, offering prayers for Fiji and its citizens before going to market their produce.

“That’s not like before because we would make sweets and visit families and friends,” Ms Kumari said.

“Times are hard; it is only my husband and I, we are not working, and we are retired.

“The $360 my husband received from Government has assisted us in some way.”

Their children reside abroad with their families.

Ms Kumari said before going into selling mangoes, they normally sold vegetables in Ba.

“Sometimes our business is good; we can make $30 to $50 in one day,” she said.

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