Manjeet Singh, serving the taste of home

Delhi: Just a little ahead from the Civil Lines metro station, opposite to Parmanand Hospital, you can find a man selling several delicacies, Rajma Chawal being his specialty, from the back of a car. The name of the man is Manjit Singh and he has been serving home made for the last 11 years now.

The Civil Lines, in North Delhi, is a residential area that also draws a strong crowd of outsiders who work in the various offices present here (including the LG House), a popular hospital, and a college, among others. It seems natural that to cater to all these people, the area has ample eating joints, from high-end restaurants to street food. Among all these places is Manjit's small business, which he runs from the back of his Maruti 800. Just like the food, the man himself is very humble, who never misses on a smile while serving his customers.

He is known for the taste he provides and the consistency in the quality of his preparation. His food car can be identified by the lunch crowd it draws.

Manjit's day starts just as the sun marks its presence at nearly 4 am. He prepares all the food fresh in the morning. By 8.30, he has to set up his food car. From 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., from his small set up which Manjit calls 'Babe Di Full Kirpa' serves Rajma Chawal with chutney and crispy onion. You can also have some riata. He also serves Kadhi Chawal and Kahdi Roti as well. The best part of that meal is that it feels like a warm hug because it's as home made as it gets.

While initially, starting this business had its own share of troubles, Manjit eventually found stability in this work. He tells us that he has several regular customers, from the office goers to even students, people storm the place especially during lunchtime.

Usha Singh, 55, a resident of north east Delhi, while relishing her food tells us, "Whenever I came to the hospital, I never miss the chance to have his rajma chawal."

Manjeet Singh was born and brought up in Rohini Sector 2. He currently lives with his three children and his wife. While talking about how Covid impacted his work, Singh tells us that it was one of the most difficult phases of his life as this business is the only source of income in his family. When it shut down, it got very difficult to manage thigs. However, he is grateful that things are now getting back to normal and his business once again runs in full swing.