Confessions of a Paanwala

“I had a stall outside Mantralaya. After two years, BMC officials told me to move out, as this was a ‘sensitive’ area”

I came to Mumbai from Ranchi in the 1980s. In those days, this city was truly a land of opportunity. None of that exists now. My uncle, who got me to Mumbai, used to tell me that people who want to succeed here don’t require money or great connections; they simply need to have the determination to work hard. He was right. I landed a job as a waiter in a small tea shop, and after a few similar jobs, I was able to save some money. I invested it all in a paan stall, and it started doing very well. I would keep moving my stall depending on business in the locality.

Life for a paanwala isn’t so easy now. One has to take permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). I manage to earn just about Rs 4,000 a month, and I have to pay Rs 600 of this to the municipal body.

Also now, one cannot set up a stall anywhere. I had a stall outside Mantralaya once. Business there was very good. However, after two years, BMC officials told me this was a ‘sensitive’ area and I had to move out. I am still confused. Does a poor paanwala like me look dangerous? I found another good location near a bus stop in south Mumbai. I was moved out in six months. I was told paan stalls have a corrupting influence on the youth, as they feel tempted to smoke.

However, after such shoddy treatment, the government now wants our help. Policemen request us to keep an eye out and report anything suspicious. They continually check with us, especially when something major happens. Bomb blasts, for example.

The only time I reported an incident to the police was when a man was trying to steal money from an ATM. I called up the police, but they took some time to arrive. By that time, the thief, unable to steal the money, had run away. The policemen later yelled at me for creating a false alarm.

(This individual has been working as a paanwalla for over 20 years)

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arindam