Arun Pandey: A Tale of Resilience and Adaptation in Ayodhya

Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh - Arun Pandey, a 32-year-old businessman from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, has been making strides in his business despite the challenges he has faced. His store, located on Rampath in Ayodhya, falls under the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat.

Pandey’s business, which primarily dealt with mobile phone accessories, was not doing well initially. However, in 2023, he made a strategic decision to diversify his offerings. He bought a refrigerator for his store and started stocking cold drinks and bottles of water for sale. Recently, he has also started selling photos and replicas of the new Ram temple, tapping into the religious sentiments of the local population.

Pandey’s efforts have paid off. He now earns about 80 per cent more than what he did in 2019. His personal life has also seen improvements. He bought a motorcycle two years ago, a significant upgrade from 2019.

The neighbourhood too has seen positive changes. The road in front of his house, which was once dilapidated, was widened and repaired last year. The area now enjoys 24-hour electricity, a marked improvement from the past.

Pandey’s daughter attends a private school in Ayodhya, reflecting his commitment to providing quality education for his child.

However, Pandey’s journey has not been without its challenges. He admits to encountering more corruption in his daily life, a reality he feels is hard to escape for those wanting to move forward and do business. He believes that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing a good job, more needs to be done to eradicate corruption.

Pandey’s story is a testament to the spirit of resilience and adaptation. Despite the challenges, he continues to innovate and adapt, ensuring his business thrives while also contributing to the local economy.