Small towns are unique places where memories are formed during the formative years of life. The very essence of happiness stays within a person’s psyche. Innate, harmless frivolity also endures long after adolescence has passed. These sweet memories help sustain the traits after adulthood sets in.
A special sweet place existed in Anandpur town while Maa was growing up. Dama Rana owned that shop, so everyone in the vicinity knew it as Dama Rana’s shop. Dama Rana is no longer alive. His children now run the place, but the charm has dimmed slightly. The place was special because of the fresh, hot snacks. Samosas and vadas were prepared right before the customers’ eyes. Various sweets, like jalebi and rasgulla, were always readily available.
One says that pretty much every shop sells the same, but what made this place so special? It stood at the center of Anandpur’s activities. It was the hub of communication. A similar distance from the bus stop and the court made the shop quite convenient for commuters. For many, it was a resting place for travelers. A little cup of hot tea on a cold winter night suffices the thirst of curious strollers. A lamp lights up the darkness of the sleepy town in the 80s and 90s. It was a must-see destination for many sweet lovers. The extensive range of sweets offered a memorable palate for its devoted foodies.
Luckily, my maternal grandfather’s place was opposite the Dama Rana shop. It was a spectacle for the little kids, with a wide range of goodies sold at highly affordable prices. In the evening, the place was crowded with kids trying the sweets with their pocket money. Things were slow then, and the people were good-hearted. The shop owner often fell asleep, and the mischievous kids stole from the shop. Sometimes, when a poor kid showed up, they were given sweets for free. Overall, the place was a significant source of carbohydrates and a heaven for free love. The author recalls often visiting the shop as a child to savor the sweets in Anandpur.
The shop is over 50 years old, standing still on the prominent corners of the sleepy town of Anandpur. Generation after generation, it has guarded the essence of social intricacy and benevolence among town residents. Let the time fly by. The shop will be there for future kids to showcase how to take life slowly and live in the now.
The Witty Stride 