This blind man’s ‘barfi’ shop a must-stop on highway

Dinesh Manhotra

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Tribune News Service

Thandi Khui (Samba), October 15

Sounds incredible but it is true! For the last 44 years, visually challenged Bishan Dass, 66, has been single-handedly running a tea stall known for its delicious ‘khoya burfi’ and ‘namkeen mathi’.

The “pure khoya” delicacy draws hundreds of customers every day to the roadside shop at Thandi Khui, 27 km from the winter capital, on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway. The sweet is not only famous among locals, but is a must-have for Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims coming from far and wide. Besides relishing the snacks with a cup of tea, people also get the barfi packed for family and friends back home.

“In 1974, I began helping my ailing father in the shop. As I was blind, it was initially difficult to handle the work but with time I learnt it all,” Dass told The Tribune.

From preparing the barfi and mathi to selling them, Dass puts in his 100 per cent into everything. “We don’t purchase khoya from market. We make it ourselves by purchasing pure milk from locals,” he said.

Dass also rarely makes a mistake while handling currency notes and change with his customers. His shortcoming is hardly visible as he prepares tea for his customers, takes money from his customers, returns change, all single-handedly. He is assisted by a helper, whose job is restricted to taking orders.

“I assess the value of the currency note by its size and formation. With experience, I rarely make a mistake in clearing the bills,” Dass said.

Bishan Dass’s father Khazan Chand had started selling barfi in 1953 from a kiosk, which has now expanded to a shop but without any compromise on the quality served.