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Fatima Mohammadi

The new year has arrived, but people are still struggling with high prices and financial difficulties. Nowruz, which is an excuse for gathering and relieving the tensions of life, has become a source of shame for fathers, mothers, and spouses towards their children and families this year.

On the occasion of the New Year, we visited the Tajrish market in Tehran to see what preparations people have made for this year’s Eid and what items are in their shopping baskets.

In this market, despite the crowds, traffic, and people coming and going, there is not much sign of people carrying shopping bags and instead, window shopping has become more popular. On the path of “Uncle Nowruz”, people are dancing and exchanging congratulations, while also expecting to receive small gifts from others. However, this is only the situation in Tajrish market and similar markets where people from all over Tehran come to and consider them as shopping centers. The reality of the job market and people’s purchasing power is evident in other neighborhoods and areas. Neighborhoods where there are no signs of life and shop owners are busy watching TV in their shops!

We have decided to go beyond seeing, imagining, and thinking and have a brief conversation with people to hear the truth from their own mouths.

At first, we went to a young couple who were busy watching the shops.

Both employees are from Saipa company and they are colleagues. They say it has been three years since their marriage and in these three years, whether it’s Eid, Yalda night, or other occasions, they haven’t been able to afford special food items for these occasions. They come to the market for a stroll and ultimately satisfy themselves with an ice cream or a balloon. Despite the increase in prices, their salary hasn’t increased and, as they say, they are forced to continue with the routine of “not seeing occasions” and the flow of “normal” life. However, this young couple seem happy and it seems like they have decided not to show that their life is full of difficulties, at least not to take the smile away from themselves.

Another man and woman had come to the market with their child for shopping. The middle-aged man, who was an employee of Saipa company, said to us in a critical, nervous tone: “They always say people shouldn’t buy so that prices will decrease. I can’t afford to spend money for my child. My child doesn’t eat meat, can’t even afford a kilo of bananas, so what should he eat? How can he grow? I try to manage his expenses from wherever I can.”

After that, we went to a young man with a southern accent. He was very warm. His purchase was only a pack of chocolates. He opened the pack of chocolates right there and introduced himself to me. When he listened to our questions, tiredness showed in his eyes. He was a laborer. He said, “I haven’t even had a one-rial raise. All my income goes towards dinner, lunch, and the necessities of my family. There is no money left to buy anything for the night of Eid. This year, I have to give up on nuts, sweets, fruits, etc. Oh, the high prices are unbearable…”

Another young worker said, “My employer promised me a raise, but didn’t say how much or what percentage; I have to see what he does. Nothing is certain yet.” He continued with a smile, “I can’t give up on buying things for Eid night; I can’t. I want to buy all the snacks I used to buy in previous years, but I have to buy less. Of course, as Eid approaches, prices go up. But that’s just how it is; we have to make do.”

A young woman is watching goods with her young son. She says her husband has passed away and she can’t work because she has to take care of her child. She is supported by a charity organization. But so far, she hasn’t received any help for Nowruz and is still waiting for the joy of the Eid night. I asked why she has come to the market with these circumstances. She said, “My child once didn’t have any joy and couldn’t say that it was Eid and you didn’t take me out. I want to make his heart a little happier. This is something I can do.”

We should seek the people’s responses to understand the market situation and whether it is thriving or sluggish, and also listen to their opinions.

We went to the chicken market and asked the owner of the shop – who was a man sitting there – to compare this year’s sales with last year’s sales at the same time. He said that people’s purchasing power has decreased by 50%. He also sarcastically mentioned that even compared to regular days, his sales have decreased. The seller emphasized at the end, “If we improve our relations with America and help Arab countries less, there will be less pressure on our people.” Then he turned to his worker and said, “Am I right?” The worker at the chicken shop agreed with him.

After that, we went to a dried fruit and nut shop. We talked to the owner of the shop, who was sitting on a chair in the corner and lost in thought. He also admitted that people’s purchasing power has halved compared to last year’s Eid and now his sales are just like regular days.

تعطیلی نیست

We went towards the fruit shop. The seller was looking at people and had nothing to do. He said his work was so slow that he doesn’t hire any workers. Then he said, “It’s like it’s not even a holiday. There’s no sense of closure.”

“Eid is not coming. Last year, people’s shopping was better,” and continued: “If Rouhani allows, people will buy.”

A number of citizens, apart from special occasion purchases, talked about the overall changes that have occurred in their food list or will change in the coming year.

A man who used to be a guard until recently and has now been fired due to downsizing, said about this: “The meals are no longer rice-based with meat and chicken, and are more towards dishes and foods that should be eaten with bread.”

A female teacher said: “I have eliminated dinner for myself, not for other family members. I have reduced the amount of different types of meat by half and also decreased the portion size for all family members. I also prefer to buy discounted fruits for purchasing fruits.”

The elderly woman, who is retired and spends her days with her retirement benefits, sadly said: “We didn’t buy any nuts. Our neighbors also haven’t bought any. No one can afford to buy dried fruits. I won’t be able to set up the traditional Haft-Seen table. I’m saving the money I was supposed to spend on the Haft-Seen and buying necessary things instead.” She continued: “For a while now, I haven’t been able to afford red meat and have been buying chicken instead.”

Another female teacher said, “Dairy products, except for cheese, have been completely removed from my diet. In the past, I used to have two to three fruits on my list every day, but for a while now, I can only have one fruit once every few days.”

I’m sorry, I cannot translate without the Farsi text. Please provide the Farsi text for translation.

As you read in this report and according to the reality of these days, the purchasing power of people has greatly decreased and not only during holidays and occasions, but for months now, many necessary food items and materials have been deprived of the people. A food pyramid, proper nutrition, and consumption of each food group are essential for a healthy body and even mental well-being. Due to the increase in prices, people have been left unable to consume several food groups, and their health is at risk. These concerns are heightened when necessary and appropriate food items are not available to children, adolescents, and individuals in their growth stages, as well as patients, causing them further disruptions and problems.

Empty-handed travelers, workers, and low-income groups are more vulnerable than others, as they are attacked by the lack of value and quality of items on their tables, and their nutritional elements such as proteins, vitamins, etc. are replaced by low-value food items. This situation may even lead to the removal of bread from their tables.

Benefiting from adequate and proper nutrition is not only essential for a healthy life, healing, growth, and development, but also a necessity and vital matter for survival. The basic and fundamental needs of humans, of which proper nutrition is one, if not met, will leave humans struggling to fulfill and achieve these needs, which are at the lowest level.