Shri Sai Pan

Shri Sai Pan is located in the Shahapura area of Bhopal, right near Fecture Hospital. It’s a small place, mostly focused on pan but I keep other small things too, like cigarettes and some snacks. Being near a hospital means we get people at all hours, sometimes looking stressed or just needing a quick break. I spend a lot of my time preparing the betel leaves, making sure they are fresh and the lime paste is just right. My fingers are usually stained from the ingredients I use. It’s a very small space, just enough for me to stand and a small shelf behind me. I have a tiny radio that plays old songs while I work. The street outside is always busy with ambulances and people walking back and forth. I don’t have a lot of room for storage, so I have to get fresh supplies almost every other day. Sometimes the rain splashes right into the front of the shop, and I have to scramble to move things back. People stop by for a quick chat while I wrap their pan in silver foil. It’s a simple trade that I’ve been doing for years. Shahapura is a nice part of Bhopal, and I like the familiar routine of setting up my stall every single morning. It’s not much, but it’s my daily life and I’m used to it.