Delhiwale: The Sunday Book Bazar icon

The venerable Asha is not only among the longest surviving booksellers in the market (30 years and counting!), but also its first woman bookseller (the market today has only three women booksellers)

She is a living landmark of Delhi’s iconic Sunday Book Bazar. The venerable Asha is not only among the longest surviving booksellers in the market (30 years and counting!), but also its first woman bookseller (even today, the market has only three women booksellers).

Last Sunday while attending to her stall, Asha agreed to become a part of our Proust Questionnaire series. (HT)

Last Sunday, while attending to her stall, she agreed to become a part of our Proust Questionnaire series, in which citizens are nudged to make “Parisian parlour confessions”, all to explore our distinct experiences.

The principal aspect of your personality.

Being an independent woman.

Your favourite qualities in a person.

The willingness to be cooperative to others, as much as circumstances permit.

Your idea of happiness.

Reaching a stage in life where one’s desires meets the needs of one’s family.

What would be your greatest misfortune?

It has already happened. My husband expired in 1998.

If not yourself, who would you be?

I actually had a government job. I was a stenographer in the ministry of education. My husband asked me to resign so that I could focus on raising our young children.

Faults for which you have the most tolerance.

Sometimes, here in the Book Bazar, people tell me that being a lady, I should stay at home. I don’t like such talk but I tolerate them.

Your motto in life.

Avoid negative people.