Narnarayan Dev

My place, Narnarayan Dev, is in Uttam Nagar, right on the 80 Feet Ring Road in Maninagar. The road is always busy with cars, buses, and rickshaws going past at all hours. It’s a noisy spot to work in, but I’ve gotten used to the sound of the traffic over the years. I spend most of my day at the front of the shop watching the street. I’ve been in this neighborhood for a long time, so I’ve seen the Ring Road get wider and much busier than it used to be. The shop itself is tucked between a few other small businesses. We don't have a lot of floor space, so we have to stack things high up on the walls. I usually have to use an old wooden ladder several times a day to reach things. It keeps me active, which I guess is a good thing. My wife brings me lunch in a tiffin box around one o'clock most days. We don't have any big neon signs or bright lights. People in Maninagar just know where we are located. It’s a practical business. I deal with a lot of different people every day. Some are in a huge rush and some like to stay and talk for a bit about their families. The floor is made of old tiles that are worn down in the center. I like the rhythm of the work. When the sun goes down, I lock up the gate and head home.