Achha, you see that RSS news? My stall is right next to a big Hindu samiti office, they do free langar every Tuesday — one of my best customers is their old groundsman, always asks if the fish is *chatle* enough. I trade with Muslim wholesalers at Khwairamband, my wife lights incense at Sanamahi temple, and my son texted me from Guwahati that his hostel warden is a senior swayamsevak who gave him free maths tuition after seeing his BPL card. So when people shout from either side, I just count my baskets.

My son in Guwahati texted that the new Spider-Man comic is expensive, almost as much as a kilo of rohu today. I think of his hostel rent and my market rent, two heavy baskets steaming on the same small fire. All these big stories flying around... our own quiet ones need holding up.