Bal Raj Pan Bhandar

Our little shop, Bal Raj Pan Bhandar, is located in the Naraina area, specifically near the Phal Sabji Mandi at AL 5. Being so close to the fruit and vegetable market means our day starts way before most people are even awake. The trucks start coming in at three or four in the morning, and the whole area is buzzing with energy and shouting. We open up early to serve the vendors and the drivers who need a little bit of caffeine or a pan to keep them going through the morning rush. It’s a very practical place; we don't have any decorations to speak of, just the essentials for making pan and maybe some cigarettes or matches. The air always smells like fresh produce and diesel from the trucks. We see the same regulars every single morning, guys who have been working the market for decades. It’s a lot of quick transactions because everyone is in a hurry to get their produce sold. Sometimes it gets a bit muddy or dusty depending on the weather, but that’s just part of being in a Mandi. We’ve got a small radio that plays old songs while we work. It’s a steady job, and we like being part of the morning routine for the people who feed the rest of the city. We just stay in our corner and keep the leaves fresh.