Sarvoday Pan Shop

The Market Yard in Vadgaon Sheri is a hectic place to be. Sarvoday Pan Shop is right in the thick of it. All day long, you hear the trucks backing up and people shouting about crates of vegetables. My shop gets a lot of dust from the market, so I’m always cleaning the counter with a yellow cloth. It’s a tough environment, but it feels real. I serve a lot of the workers and the drivers who are passing through. They don't want anything fancy, just a strong pan to keep them going through their shift. I keep some cold water in a clay pot because the fridge we had broke down last year and I haven't replaced it yet. The clay pot actually keeps the water tasting better anyway. The walls of the shop are covered with some old posters that have started to peel at the edges. I don't bother taking them down. It gives the place some character. Usually, I’m here from early morning until the market quietens down at night. My son comes to help me sometimes, but he thinks the market is too loud. I like the noise, though. It makes me feel like I’m part of the city’s heart. We just keep our heads down and do our work. There’s always someone needing a break from the chaos outside.