Concessions of a canteen : Ramji Gupta

"I've been in the canteen business since I flunked out of high school. I was not a day over thirteen then.
It began with a snack bar at the Alambagh bus station. Everything ran smoothly until the govt. appropriation. After that, it became difficult to make ends meet, and going to bed famished became routine. 
As luck would have it, the tough times ended with the approval of my application for setting up a canteen in IET, which I promptly did, just a day prior to Encore'17.

Since then, people have hardly known me as Ramji Gupta, and I too have accepted the 'Amul wale' tag. It is now my identity. (a sly smile builds).

This canteen, Amul, has kept things stable and interesting for me. 
I enjoy handing out the food, making small talk, sitting back and taking in the spry, youthful vibes of the campus. The smile that young faces carry when they huddle around the counter celebrating something I cannot understand, or when they walk in for a midnight snack, the contentment that reflects, the occasional "thank you bhaiya" that comes my way after cool lassis and soft drinks on hot summer days; all this gives me, apart from a livelihood, a sense of satisfaction.

Birthday celebrations here are something I too relish. Recently, a two-litre cold-drink bottle had the entirety of its contents emptied onto a birthday boy. (laughs heart out)

Since whatever I earn comes from the students, I try to customize the menu in keeping with their requirements, be it of health or indulgence. My ultimate aim is to give them a homely feeling, away from home, without burdening their pockets; it is indeed heartening to see them prefer paranthas over chilli potatoes.

Admiration and advice, from students and professors, end up being quite useful. 
I don't mind the occasional jokes that come at my expense. After all, these people have been instrumental in improving the canteen services. The students especially have been very supportive. They introduced me to online payment methods. Now, I have even started taking telephonic orders. Accessibility isn't an issue anymore, for now at least.

Having struggled and endured, I know the true worth of what I have accomplished and I am grateful."

" Bas yahi hai bhaiya. Recording band karo toh ek baat batayen." 
[Recorder turned off]
"Biah laga hai humara June mein. Mann toh poore college ko bulane ka hai, par utna kaise hoga? Aap log bilkul aana, accha lagega.", he says, hurriedly getting back to work as customers start lining up.