In the Capital where the temperature is rising, some people drink refrigerated water while some have found earthen pots (mitti ke garhe) to combat the heat and to keep themselves connected to the traditional and environment-friendly ways of cooling water naturally. Some Rajasthani Banjara women who sell pots on footpath in the J Block market, Ashok Vihar are getting a good business as the clay and earthen pots are in demand. Over time the surging demand for these pots, they are now also sold in different colors, innovative designs, and decorated motifs. Talking to Sharmila, a Rajasthani woman who has been selling her pots on the footpath, from the last 7 years at the entry of the J Block market said, The customers start coming from April (start of summer season) and there is a good number of buyers. She further added that she sold two to three whole trucks, that is around 20,000 of earthen pots during the lockdown because people avoided the refrigerator water to prevent the COVID-19 virus. The people after the lockdown phase havent stopped this trend, some of the sellers of such earthen pots said. People now have increased in numbers to buy such pots. Ramesh, who had come to buy these pots with her wife, said they have been drinking water from these matkas for a very long time and whenever the summer season takes a peak then only they buy these matkas. He said, Hum to shuru se yahi paani peete hain (They drink water from earthen pots from the beginning). These pots are made up of natural clay, and have the ability to keep water cool for longer periods without the need for electricity. The prices of these pots are between  Rs. 200 - 250 depending on size. Kellu, whose seasonal work for the past 10 years is selling earthen pots in North Delhi said that the continuous buyers of traditional items like pots in the summer season are keeping their work alive. A new hawker of the earthen pots Santoshi and her husband said, abhi do mahine pehle shuru kiya hai kaam but pet pal jata hai (They started this work two months back and are able to earn their living.) She further Clay contains minerals and the water kept in earthen pots automatically generates unique flavors. The water in these earthen pots tastes better because of this delicate earthiness, which makes it more appetizing, revitalizing, and refreshing.  The peoples thought of still buying the clay and earthen pots have kept the traditional and healthy culture alive.

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