Mohit Pan Bhandar

We are right by the water at Manickchak Ghat. Mohit Pan Bhandar is the name on the board. Being in English Bazar means there's always someone passing through. Malda gets quite dusty, especially near the riverbank. We sell pan, obviously, but other small things too like cigarettes and matches. It’s a small stall. You can’t miss it if you’re heading towards the ferry or coming off the boats. I’ve been sitting in this spot for years. My father had a shop nearby too before he retired. The wood on the counter is getting a bit worn down now. I should probably paint it again one of these days when I have a free afternoon. People stop for a quick chew and a talk about the weather or the price of crops. Sometimes the cows wander too close and I have to shoo them away with a stick. It’s loud near the ghat with the boat engines and people shouting. I like the noise, though. It makes the day go by faster than sitting in silence. We keep the leaves fresh in a wet cloth. Some days are better than others. When the rain is heavy, the ground gets muddy and business slows down quite a bit. But usually, it’s steady. I keep some candies for the kids who come by with their parents. It’s just a small business, nothing too big or complicated. Just me and the river.