PWD Entrepreneur Adds A Flavourful Twist To Traditional Pani Puri

By Mohamad Syazwan Mustafa

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- For most people, pani puri is a beloved Indian street snack. But for S. Nagarajan, it is much more — a symbol of resilience, creativity, and hope in the face of adversity.

The 47-year-old entrepreneur, who is differently abled, has turned his struggles into strength, reinventing the traditional pani puri with a modern touch in the spirit of Deepavali.

Despite years of physical challenges — a stroke two years ago that affected the left side of his body and a paralysed right hand since his 30s following an accident — Nagarajan has never given up.

Channelling his determination into his business, NSS Gana Pani Puri & Kunafa, he has reinvented the popular snack with creative flavours like chocolate, cheese, pistachio, yoghurt and even ice cream.

“Everyone loves pani puri — not just Indians, but also Malays and Chinese. That’s why I decided to experiment with modern flavours so that everyone can enjoy it,” he told Bernama when met at the Little India Deepavali Bazaar recently.

His wife, K. Tamil Selvi, 48, has been his strongest supporter, preparing the flavoured water and special potato fillings that make their pani puri stand out. Together, the couple has turned their stall into one of the busiest at the bazaar — not just for the taste, but for the story it tells.

“I get the puri from Kuala Lumpur, but the real secret lies in the flavoured water and fillings my wife makes. My children also help out, and I’m proud they’re following in my footsteps,” said the father of four.

Each set of eight pani puri sells for between RM12 and RM23, featuring inventive flavours like cheesy wedges, blueberry, chicken floss and chocolate cheese — all while keeping the essence of the traditional Indian snack alive.

Beyond his signature pani puri, Nagarajan also sells kunafa, sambal belacan, sambal petai, murukku and prayer items. He even helps promote other traders’ products at his stall, proving that success is sweeter when shared.

As Deepavali approaches, demand for Nagarajan’s modern pani puri continues to grow. But for him, the real reward is not just in sales — it’s in inspiring others to rise above their circumstances.

-- BERNAMA