Raj Daliy Needs

The shop is right by Sultan Ganj Puliya here in Agra. If you know the area, you know how busy it gets near the bridge. Raj Daliy Needs has been in this spot in the Main Bazar for quite some time. It's mostly just me and occasionally a helper. We handle the daily stuff people realize they ran out of at home. Milk, bread, maybe some pens for the kids. The dust from the road gets everywhere, so I spend a lot of time with a cloth wiping down the counters. It’s a small space, but we pack a lot into it. There are bags of rice stacked in the corner and packets of chips hanging from the ceiling. I don’t use any fancy computer systems; I just remember where everything is. The neighbors stop by to chat about the local news or the traffic. Sometimes the electricity goes out and we just sit in the dark for a bit until it comes back. It’s part of living in Agra. I try to keep enough stock so people don’t have to go all the way to the bigger markets. Usually, by the time I close up at night, I'm pretty tired. My back hurts a bit from standing, but it's okay. It is a good way to stay busy. We aren't trying to be anything big, just a place for your daily needs. I keep a small radio on for some background music while I work on the accounts.