Anand Lal Bhati

Sojat City is a unique place, and being near the Pali Darwaj gives me a front-row seat to everything that happens here. I’ve been running my business from this spot for a long time. The stone walls of the building stay cool even when the Rajasthan sun is beating down on the streets outside. I usually sit near the front so I can see who’s passing by. Often, a quick hello turns into a thirty-minute conversation about the rain or the local market prices. My workspace isn't fancy. I have a sturdy table, some old ledgers, and a couple of fans that rattle a bit when they're on high. I prefer doing things the old-fashioned way, face to face. I don't use much technology besides my phone, and even that I mostly use for calling people rather than messages. The area around Pali Darwaj is always bustling with carts and people, and I like being part of that daily flow. I take things as they come. If a day is slow, I just sit and read the paper or have some tea. If it’s busy, I work until the light fades and I have to head home. There’s a sense of community here that I wouldn't trade for anything. I know the families around here, and they know me. It’s just a simple, local business where I try to be useful to my neighbors.