Rajesh Paan Dokan

My shop, Rajesh Paan Dokan, is a small spot in the Samarpally area of Keshtopur. It’s not much more than a counter and some shelves, but it stays busy from morning till late at night. Kolkata can be a very loud and crowded place, and this corner is no different. I spend most of my time folding betel leaves and mixing the lime and supari. Everyone has their own way they like their paan made, so I have to remember those little details. I also keep cigarettes, some loose biscuits, and those small packets of chips that the kids like. In the evenings, people stand around outside to chat and smoke after they finish work. It gets a bit noisy with the traffic passing by, but that’s just part of life here. I don't have fancy lights or a big sign. The wooden counter is getting a bit worn out where I lean on it all day. Sometimes my brother sits here when I need a break to go get a meal. We get a lot of regulars who don't even have to say their order anymore. I just see them coming and start preparing their usual. It’s a simple way to make a living. The space is tight, and I have to organize the jars of sweets carefully so nothing falls over. It’s just a local shop for the neighborhood folks who need a quick break during their busy day or just want some tobacco.