K.K.S. Mani Panwala

Being at Churchgate means there is never a quiet moment. We are located at 52/5 in the Sahakar Building right on 'B' Road. If you know the area you know how fast people walk around here trying to catch their trains. K.K.S. Mani Panwala is just a small spot but we have been part of the landscape for a long time. I spend my whole day folding leaves and mixing the lime and catechu. My fingers are always stained a bit red from the ingredients but that is just part of the trade. We don't have fancy seats or a menu that changes every week. People just come up and ask for their usual and I usually remember what they like without them saying much. The breeze from the sea comes through sometimes but mostly it is just the heat from the street and the sound of the traffic nearby. It is a tight squeeze in here with all the jars of sweets and the tobacco tins piled up high on the shelves. I usually have the radio playing some old songs in the background to keep me company when the rush dies down for an hour. It is a simple way to make a living and I have seen many people grow up and bring their own kids here now. We just stay open until the last few people head home at night. It is just the way it has always been.