Aneer Hasan Salmani, a 65-year-old man, is a favourite among his customers. Come any festival, and you will see his bright stall at Samachar Market in Mayur Vihar Phase 1 Extension area all set for the day.
It has been 20 years since Salmani came from Mumbai, and endeared himself to the residents of this area. “Twenty years back when this market was set up, I used to sell chana-masala just outside the market. A few years later, I started my hair-cutting salon – on rent, of course -- and I became familiar with the residents of these housing societies. Many of them, especially my regular customers, ask me to bring festive knickknacks, and I oblige. They are like my family now.”
Garima Sinha, a resident of United India Apartments, says, “I have known him from almost last 10 years now. I always see him selling something or the other on the festivals – be it Christmas, Diwali, Holi, or whatever.”
After staying around for so long, he has come to occupy a special place in the hearts of the residents. A resident of Kirti Apartments, Alka Gulati, adds, “I feel really nice to see him selling colours, diyas, rakhis et al. In him, I see a happy co-existence of all our cultures. Whether the festival is for the Hindus, or the Sikhs, or the Muslims, it is of no consequence to him.”
