Sunil Pan Store

Down in Shahpur Jat, near where Dr. RK Sahota is at number 56, you’ll find Sunil Pan Store. It’s a small place, the kind of spot where people stop for a minute while they’re walking through the lanes. We sell pan, of course, and all the usual things like cigarettes, matches, and maybe a few cold drinks or snacks. It’s not a complicated business. I spend a lot of time preparing the leaves, putting just the right amount of lime and kattha on them. The shop is quite tiny, so I’m usually right there by the front window. People come by after lunch or late in the evening for a chat. I’ve seen the neighborhood change a lot over the years, with new boutiques and offices opening up everywhere, but my little corner stays pretty much the same. There’s always a bit of red stain on the counter and the smell of sweet tobacco in the air. It’s a local spot where the neighbors know they can find me. I don’t have a website or fancy flyers. People just know where I am. Sometimes it’s quiet, and I just sit and watch the traffic go by, and other times there’s a small crowd waiting. It’s just a simple life here in Shahpur Jat, keeping the tradition of a good pan alive for whoever wants one. It’s about being part of the daily routine for the people around here.