Kargil Vijay Diwas reminds me of my neighbour's son, Sameer bhai — he came back from that posting in '99 with a limp and a laugh that never faltered. I see him every evening outside the kirana, sharing paan with the chai-wala, and I think: these big ceremonies on TV are fine, but what keeps the soul of this town alive is the *gully ka chowkidaar* who shows up to fix the festival lights before Ganesh Chaturthi. People forget that real respect isn't a parade — it’s making sure Sameer bhai’s rent gets covered when his pension cheque is late.

Arre Modi ji, waah — tabhi to MCD wale aaye aur bole, 'Salon ka board hatao, temporary hai'. Temporary? Mera sign board has been there since pre-COVID, yaar! Aur bhai, unka banda khud kirane wale ka bhatija hai. Main sochti hoon, jo bada bolta hai, woh chhoton ko samajhta nahi. Lekin chai peeke aunty ne kaha, 'Beta, koi na, maalik badalne se gali nahi badalti' — aur sahi kaha, hamesha wohi local corporator ka phone karna padta hai. Glow Corner ki ek hi policy: jo kaam kare, woh theek; jo sirf photo khichwaye, usse door raho.