Avishkar Pan Shop

Avishkar Pan Shop is a small spot at Hadapsar Fatimanagar 13. To be honest, it’s not much more than a counter and some shelves, but it’s where I spend most of my life. I open up around ten in the morning and stay until late at night when the streets finally go quiet. Being in Fatimanagar, you see all sorts of people. I spend my day folding betel leaves and chatting with whoever stops by. It’s a lot of repetitive movement, but I find it relaxing in a way. I keep all my ingredients in these little steel containers—lime, catechu, various seeds, and sweets. Some people like their pan hit a certain way, and I try to remember their preferences. The radio is usually playing some old songs in the background to keep me company. It gets a bit dusty being so close to the road, so I’m always wiping down the glass. I don't have any employees; it's just me. Sometimes my friend from the tea stall next door comes over and we share a glass of chai. It’s not a glamorous job, and my fingers are usually stained from the ingredients, but I like being my own boss. I’ve seen kids grow up and start coming here as adults. It’s just a small part of the neighborhood, but it’s an important one to me. People know where to find me if they need a quick break.