Kamal Pan House

Mahaveer Circle Ganj is always buzzing with energy. Kamal Pan House sits right in the middle of all that noise. I wake up early to beat the traffic and get things set up for the day. The first thing I do is sort the supari. I have different kinds, some hard and some soft, depending on what people like. My hands are used to the rhythm now. Swipe the lime, add the paste, throw in the spices, and fold. I do it hundreds of times a day. Sometimes I lose track of time just watching the people go by outside. We have a small light bulb that hangs from the ceiling which flickers sometimes. I need to get it fixed but I keep forgetting to call the guy. The counter is made of old wood and has some deep scratches on it. It’s seen a lot of years. People from the nearby shops come over for a break and we talk about the weather or the price of things. It’s a simple community. I don’t use any fancy packaging, just a bit of paper or a small plastic bag if they are taking it away. The smell of the tobacco is quite strong in the mornings before the breeze picks up. I try to keep the area in front of the shop clean but with the wind in Ganj, it’s a constant struggle.