This is the name of the fabrics shop which we patronised in Varanasi. The exterior of the shop is unadorned, except for a few bales of cloth and a small sticker indicating the name of the shop. The interior is equally spartan, with a large white elevated matress covering a large part of the room, but the shelves are filled with a huge variety of cloths.

The shop sold various fabrics, specialising in genuine silk and pashmina wool. The owner is candid and frank and speaks good English. He took the trouble to explain the different kinds of cloth one can find in the market, and how to identify genuine silk and pashmina products. He took a few threads of the various types of cloth, burnt them and got us to sniff the fumes in a bid to teach us how to differentiate between the various cloths.

The owner is determined to cut out commission fees to drivers and tout in order to provide the best quality genuine products to customers. When we arrived at the shop, the owner spoke to the rickshaw man who bought us there in Hindi. Judging from the tone of voice, he was probably telling the man that he is not giving commission fees to him. The owner also warned us separately not to reveal his prices to touts because that would affect his business.

Our overall experience at the shop was a pleasant one. There was no hardselling and you know that you are in safe hands. Visiting his shop was a welcomed relief from the touting we encounter in the streets, and we buy with confidence and trust.