Kolkata, February 24, 2026 – The National Hawker Federation (NHF), India’s apex body championing the rights of street vendors, successfully concluded a 21-day intensive internship program for four first-year law students from the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru. The program, held from February 2 to February 22, 2026, at the NHF head office in Kolkata, provided Suneet Sanurag (ID: B25269), Harshita Ranjan (ID: B25110), Roshni (ID: B25122), and Prithviraj (ID: B25078) with deep, ground-level exposure to the challenges and legal frameworks impacting the nation’s vast informal workforce.
A Holistic Learning Experience: From Fieldwork to Policy Analysis
The internship was carefully structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of the advocacy required to protect vendor livelihoods. Under the supervision of Atri Bhattacherjee, Principal Supervisor, the students were actively integrated into the NHF’s ongoing initiatives, moving fluidly between grassroots engagement and high-level legal scrutiny.
The students’ primary task involved immersive fieldwork across diverse neighborhoods in Kolkata. They participated in extensive surveys, employing both quantitative and qualitative research methods to gather primary data directly from vendors. This hands-on experience included:
· Direct Data Collection: Engaging with vendors to understand their daily realities.
· Socio-Economic Documentation: Systematically recording the challenges related to livelihood security, access to credit, and municipal interactions.
· Analytical Assessment: Identifying key trends and systemic issues from the collected data.
A particularly impactful element of the internship was the students’ exposure to macro-level advocacy. They had the privilege of observing the proceedings of the Task Force committee meetings at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) , gaining invaluable insight into the direct interface between vendor unions and state authorities. This experience was complemented by an opportunity to observe legal proceedings at the Calcutta High Court, witnessing firsthand the judicial dimensions of the struggle for constitutional and legal rights. To complete their holistic understanding, the interns also conducted interviews with senior police officers to gauge law enforcement’s perspective on street vending and public space management.
Tangible Research Contributions and Legal Acumen
Building on their rich field and observational experiences, all four interns produced significant research outputs.
Suneet Sanurag prepared two detailed research reports based on the survey findings, demonstrating a capacity for structured analysis and a nuanced understanding of the issues impacting the vendor community. Harshita Ranjan authored a comprehensive research report that showcased exceptional clarity and a firm grasp of the complex subject matter.
Their peers made equally valuable contributions. Roshni prepared two detailed research reports, displaying strong analytical skills and a keen eye for socio-legal nuances. Prithviraj produced a comprehensive report that reflected deep engagement with the subject and a talent for synthesizing complex information.
A key component of their collective contribution was a focused legal analysis of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. This work allowed them to critically examine the statute’s implementation, strengths, and weaknesses against the lived realities of the vendors they met, effectively bridging their academic knowledge with real-world application.
A Testament to Collaborative Learning and Future Advocacy
The feedback from their supervisors underscores the mutual value of the internship. Throughout the program, all four students—Suneet, Harshita, Roshni, and Prithviraj—demonstrated exceptional diligence, dedication, and a strong work ethic, earning high praise for their professionalism and teamwork.
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