India, Nov. 21 -- It is late night. Syed Shahnawaz is manning the rose stall at the historic Sufi shrine of Hazrat Sarmad Shahid in Old Delhi. Following some small talk on the winter chill, he graciously agrees 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.

Your favourite flower.

Red rose.

Your favourite occupation.

This rose stall belongs to my baap-dada-pardada (forefathers). For centuries, pilgrims have been buying roses from us to offer at the dargah. I continue the tradition by attending to it for a few hours daily. But my main business is selling fancy lights. My shop is at Bhagirath Place in Chandni Chowk. I feel ...