India, March 29 -- Small eateries, long the backbone of the bustling food streets of the national Capital, are losing their spark. Pushed by dwindling LPG and soaring black-market prices, many are being forced to reshape menus, reduce staff, and return to cooking on coal and wood.

For Neeraj Chawla, who has been running Vaishno Rasoi in Rajouri Garden for the past year after stepping away from a joint family setup, the struggle is both financial and personal.

Shutting shop would make sense, he confides, but it is the fear of "beizatti" (shame) that keeps his stoves - now largely running on coal and wood - alight, even as hope begins to flicker.

"Beizatti nahi ho ke band karke baith gaya hai, isiliye chala raha hoon (I keep it running t...