Lokesh General Store

Lokesh General Store sits right at the Namner Chauraha in the Main Bazar area. It is a very busy spot because of the four-way crossing and there is always someone stopping their scooter to grab a quick packet of milk or some matches. The shop is filled with all sorts of small things hanging from the ceiling like packets of chips and small toys. We have rows of biscuits and jars of candy right at the front where the kids can see them. The shelves are made of old wood and they groan a bit under the weight of the heavy oil tins. Every day starts with sweeping the dust out from the front step because the Agra traffic kicks up a lot of dirt. We keep a large water cooler in the corner for ourselves and sometimes we offer a glass to the regulars. The walls are covered with old calendars and a few posters that have been there for years. We don't use any computers here, just a simple calculator and our memory for the prices. It can get very loud with all the horns blowing at the crossroads, but we are used to it by now. In the afternoon, when it gets really hot, things slow down for an hour or two and we just sit and watch the traffic go by. It’s a basic shop for the neighborhood needs and we try to stay stocked up.