The Gracious “Bhuttewalla”

PHOTO: NUSRAT DURRANI

This man, Munna Lal, in my hometown of Lucknow, is at the very bottom of the food chain in a country whose corrupt politicians manipulate and exploit the poor to make themselves and the rich even richer. Selling roasted corn in front of a garbage dump in sweltering heat he still has the etiquette and grace this city was once famous for. He offered me a free “bhutta” (corn) because he thought I was a visitor from abroad.