Sarda Soda Shop

It is usually quite busy here on Pandeypur Road. Being in Vivekanand Bhawan puts us right in the middle of things, especially with the Punjab National Bank just a short walk away. You see all kinds of people coming by, mostly folks going to the bank or workers from the nearby shops in Pahariya. We start our day pretty early, usually before the heat really sets in. Cleaning the glass bottles takes up a good chunk of the morning. There is always a layer of dust because of the road traffic, so wiping down the counters is a never-ending job. The soda machine makes a lot of noise, but it’s a sound we’ve grown to like. It feels quiet when it’s off. My brother and I take turns behind the counter. On some days, the humidity is just terrible, and everyone is looking for something cold. We don't really do any fancy advertisements or anything like that. People just know we are here by the bank. Sometimes the electricity goes out and we have to mess with the backup, which is always a bit of a struggle. But usually, things run okay. We have a few regulars who stop by every afternoon just to chat for five minutes while they have their drink. It’s a decent way to spend the day. That’s what it's like here at Sarda Soda Shop. We’ve been here a long time now.