The document describes how exploring street markets in various cities like Mumbai, India has contributed to the author's personal and professional development. The author found the markets to be a window into different cultures and enjoyed bargaining and chatting with locals. Visiting markets in Mumbai and Bangkok inspired the author to start their own jewelry brand called Akaliko, which upcycles old objects into unique pieces. Starting the brand taught the author about social media marketing, brand identity, and turning interests into business ideas.

1. A presentation by Manaal Oomerbhoy
In response to: Show us an activity you love doing. Tell
us how you think it contributes to your personal and
professional development

2. Exploring and discovering
street markets and
bazaars…

3. Exploring and discovering
street markets and
bazaars…
… as windows into various cultural realities

4. Chor bazaar in Mumbai, India – a haven for antique seekers. Mumbai has a strong
local culture of street markets – there is one for every conceivable type of good.

5. The following pictures were taken at some of the
markets I have been to..

6. The following pictures were taken at some of the
markets I have been to..
…each with their own manner of bargaining, or lack of it, and
distinctive features…

7. The following pictures were taken at some of the
markets I have been to..
…each with their own manner of bargaining, or lack of it, and
distinctive features…
… but as at any street market, there is always something
Local and unique to buy or eat, and
almost always a friendly local to chat with

8. Colaba market, Mumbai, India

9. Kilim and carpet seller in Islamabad, Pakistan

10. Wooden bead necklaces at
a market in Helsinki,
Finland

11. Local produce at a market in Helsinki, Finland

12. Handmade wooden blocks at Anjuna market, Goa, India

13. Cart on the
street selling
coloured powder
in anticipation of
the Holi festival
in Mumbai.

14. Pydhonie market, Mumbai

15. Afghan jewellery in a street market
In Islamabad
A side street in Chor Bazaar

16. Click here to view my video of
Crawford Market, Mumbai:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51v-lszYbew&feature=youtu.be

17. Scouring markets
in Mumbai and Bangkok
was
the inspiration
behind the birth of my jewelry
Label
Akaliko
www.facebook.com/akalikostudio
www.akaliko.in

18. One of Akaliko’s first pieces of
jewelery:
An upcycled necklace
made from old clock parts
and cubic zirconia

19. A necklace made
from
vintage buttons from
Bangkok, and old
clock parts from
Chor Bazaar in
Mumbai

20. Akaliko uses seemingly worthless objects,
semi precious stones sourced from across Asia, and
the traditional skills of metal workers in Mumbai to
create unique objects.
Creating a jewellery brand
with my partner furthered
my interest in social media
marketing and brand
identity and
communication, and was a
lesson in turning an
interest into a business
idea.
Creation phase of a necklace