Video Editor: Prashant Chauhan, Vikram Venkateswaran
Cameraperson: Sathish
Producer: Smitha TK
More than a year ago, a Malayalam news channel came across a college girl in uniform, selling fish at the Thammanam junction in Kerala. Her story on how she goes to college in the morning and sells fish in the evening to raise money for her studies went viral.
She became an internet sensation but the likes and cheers were soon interrupted by trolls.
Many called her a scam, saying she was doing this as part of a movie promotion – that she was not poor at all. She broke down, pleaded to the online hate mafia to stop the bullying and then decided to stand strong no matter what.
Today, Hanan has created a brand for herself.
A Popular Face in the Streets of Kochi
Today, she is a music composer and runs her own venture ‘Viral Fish’.
She has bought a TATA ACE van and sells fish every evening at the busy Thammanam junction.
“Seems like society has given some laws to fish-selling people. If they wear a good dress, good ornaments, if they put on makeup, that’s not fair. But I am a regular girl who has a lot of dreams in her life. So like other people, even I want the freedom to wear good dress, ornaments, makeup. Everything!”Hanan Hamid
As Hanan walks through Fort Kochi, you can see people nodding and saying hello. Everyone knows Hanan because of her fight against trolls and societal misconceptions. After going viral, she has received help from everywhere. Some sell fish at a discount, others send her funds and the government has even helped her set up shop.
The Not-So Rosy Beginning of the Story
Recollecting her childhood, she said her struggle has not been easy.
As early as VII grade, Hanan has been doing odd jobs to help her family. After she finished school, the financial strain grew. Making and selling ornaments to her teachers and classmates, taking tuitions, dubbing for short films, working as a call centre girl, a private secretary, a junior artist in films, anchoring at weddings, hosting events in malls and other public places and selling fish – Hanan has juggled so many jobs.
“My family was like a little garden and my brother and I were like butterflies who are roaming around the smiling, beautiful flowers that is our parents. But in one moment, I lost everything. My father became a drunk, parents separated.”Hanan Hamid
Hanan says many have discouraged her attitude of being independent and advised her to switch to an easier job like billing staff or a call centre.
But over the years, she has found that selling fish is something she likes and also helps her earn the money she needs to become a doctor someday.
In this world, we are all alone. After some time we will miss our parents, but in my case I just missed them earlier. So if you miss something, you should struggle very hard and get it all back.Hanan Hamid
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