PRENEETA SHARMA
The Ridge, tucked away amid Shimla’s historic elegance and foggy hills, is more than simply a tourist destination; it’s a living representation of the city’s soul. And a guy who has become a part of that canvas himself, Rattan Lal, is sitting calmly beneath a well-known old tree, wearing nothing but a tin box and a soft grin.
On Shimla Mall Road, close to the Ridge, Rattan Lal has been serving out spicy chana (roasted chickpeas) and plenty of warmth to onlookers for 48 years. No gaudy signs. No kiosk. Only a little cloth, a tin box, and a tale more complex than the chana he serves.
Rattan Lal opted for simplicity in a world where people are rushing for modernism and bigger settings. He started selling spicy chana for just 5 paisa in the middle of the 1970s, marking the beginning of his adventure. He saw Shimla change over the years, from winding streets and antique shops to busy tourists and electronic payment signs. Furthermore, he never left his tree, though. What some would consider a little roadside arrangement is actually a quiet landmark. Both locals and visitors remember coming by to hear a few friendly words before leaving or getting a quick snack from him after a cold stroll on the Ridge.
Rattan Lal did more than simply make ends meet; he lived a dignified life. He created a family and made sure his kids got the possibilities he was never given because of his unwavering perseverance. These days, his daughter works as a nurse, one of his kids is a doctor, and another is a narcotics inspector.
However, despite those achievements, Rattan Lal decides against a comfortable retirement. He still shows up at his destination with the same attitude and brings what he has for decades: a little bit of tradition with a dash of humanity.
Once excited to spend their pocket money on chana, schoolchildren now return as adults and frequently show their children the same happy expression they saw as youngsters. Having worked for three generations, Rattan Lal is able to recall names and faces. He frequently shares stories about how, back in the 1980s, someone’s grandpa used to purchase chana from him.
His peaceful nook serves as a reminder of substance, patience, and sincerity in a day of quick food and rapid satisfaction.
Once excited to spend their pocket money on chana, schoolchildren now return as adults and frequently show their children the same happy expression they saw as youngsters. Having worked for three generations, Rattan Lal is able to recall names and faces. He frequently shares stories about how, back in the 1980s, someone’s grandpa used to purchase chana from him.
His peaceful nook serves as a reminder of substance, patience, and sincerity in a day of quick food and rapid satisfaction.
