Paan, which has traditionally been a part of Indian culture, has now taken a completely modern form with the integration of technology. Sharad More, owner of the famous Shaukeen Paan Shop in Pune, has created something that has become a blessing for paan lovers.
Now, paan enthusiasts no longer need to wait for their favourite paan shop to open. They can enjoy their preferred paan anytime by simply using an ATM-like paan dispenser installed at Shambhaji Metro Station. Earlier, the machine provided a set of two paans, but now it can dispense five boxes, meaning ten paans, at one time.
This means paan lovers now have access to their favourite paans 24 hours a day. The shop that introduced this dispenser is also named Shaukeen. Everyone in Pune is familiar with Shaukeen Paan Shop. The shop was established in 1905 by Sharad More. Famous throughout the city for its delicious paan bidas, Shaukeen Paan Shop has gained even more recognition after installing the automated paan dispenser. Sharad More claims that this is India’s first automatic paan dispenser.
Explaining how the paan dispenser works, More told Tobacco Plus that the machine operates similar to a cash withdrawal machine. To get your preferred paan, customers need to scan the barcode available on the machine. Once scanned, a list of available paans appears on the customer’s phone interface. After making an online payment, a neatly packed paan in a small box is delivered from the machine.
Through this automatic machine, customers can choose from various flavours including chocolate, mango, Irish cream, Maghai, dry fruit, masala, and many more.
The idea of installing an automatic paan machine came from 54-year-old Sharad More. His cheapest paan is priced at ₹10, while the most expensive paan costs ₹1,000. A firm believer in customer choice, More says that his priority is to provide paan according to what customers want.
The idea of creating a paan ATM came to Sharad More around a decade ago. He spent nearly ₹3–4 lakh on research, but initially could not achieve success. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he restarted his efforts to develop a paan vending machine. The result is now visible in the form of an automatic paan dispenser.
Sharad More told Tobacco Plus that he has obtained the patent and copyright for this paan ATM. He entered the paan business in 1987. Initially, he used to operate from a small table and did not even know how to prepare paan. Many times, customers themselves guided him on how to make a perfect paan. Gradually, More mastered the art of making paan.
Always thinking differently, Sharad More sources the fragrances used in his paans directly from Kannauj. Known for his innovative paan dispenser, Shaukeen Paan Shop is considered a family-friendly paan destination.
People visit this air-conditioned paan shop with their families, including children. Special varieties of paan are also available for kids. Chocolate paan is especially popular among children, and its taste is so appealing that even adults enjoy ordering it.
The quality of this paan shop is so strong that customers prefer visiting again and again. Only branded ingredients are used in every paan prepared at Shaukeen Paan Shop. More told Tobacco Plus that he uses chutneys from brands such as Minakshi, Baba Navratna, Madhuri, and HMV in his paans.
Following the success of the paan dispenser in Pune, Sharad More plans to install similar machines in other metro cities across India.
More is also associated with the Maharashtra Paan Traders Association. Along with serving as its Working President, he also holds the position of President of the Pune Paan Association. He believes that paan shop owners often do not receive enough attention. He actively works on issues concerning paan shop owners.
Known for building a strong emotional connection with customers, More fights for the interests of paan retailers with the same dedication with which he creates unique and delicious paan bidas.
A Remarkable Innovation: Paan Dispenser
Now paan lovers no longer have to wait for a paan shop to open. They can enjoy their favourite paan whenever they want by simply visiting an automatic paan machine — the paan dispenser.
Recently, Shaukeen Paan Shop in Pune has installed new paan vending machines at Jangli Maharaj Road and Shambhaji Metro Station. Customers can now get ten paans in boxes with just one click.
In the future, there are plans to install these ATM-like paan dispensers at multiple locations, from malls to metro stations, making them easily accessible to paan enthusiasts.
The innovation behind this automatic machine comes from 54-year-old Sharad More, owner of Pune’s famous Shaukeen Paan Shop. The paan dispenser works exactly like a cash withdrawal machine. Customers simply scan the barcode on the machine, select their preferred paan from the list available on their phone, make an online payment, and receive a hygienically packed paan box.
The machine offers a variety of flavours such as chocolate, mango, Irish cream, Maghai, dry fruit, and masala paan.
Sharad More, who always believes in doing something different, uses only premium quality ingredients for his paans. The fully air-conditioned Shaukeen Paan Shop also offers special paans for children. Chocolate paan is one of the most popular choices among kids and is equally enjoyed by adults.
With strong quality and exceptional taste, Shaukeen Paan Shop has earned a special reputation across Pune. If you ever visit Pune, do not miss experiencing the delicious paan bidas of Shaukeen Paan Shop — either directly from the shop or through its innovative paan dispenser.