Stunted Tourism, Apathetic Yogi Govt Throws Varanasi's Mallahs in Deep Waters While some boatmen are mulling giving up their traditional livelihood, some others have taken out loans they are struggling to pay back. Vijay Manjhi on his 30-seater boat. Photo: Rituparna Palit Rights22/Feb/2021 Varanasi: Prahlad Ghat is deserted except for a small group of men in shawls, playing cards on a usual winter weekday afternoon. Pintu Sahni, a boatman, squats on the stairs that lead to the Ganga. Every time he sees a person approaching the Ghat â one of the 84 in Varanasi â he stands up and walks up to them.