Kailash Namkeen Store

Being in Naya Bazar New Market at Cavandaspura 7 means there is never a quiet moment. Kailash Namkeen Store is tucked into a spot where people are always pushing past each other. We start early, mostly because the deliveries arrive before the crowds get too thick. There are bags of flour and spices stacked in the corner that we have to move around every single day just to reach the back. The shop isn't very big, so we have to use every inch of the walls. It gets quite cramped when three or four people are standing inside at once. We spend a lot of time just refilling the containers and making sure the labels are somewhat readable. Sometimes I forget where I put the heavy tape for the boxes and have to hunt for it under the counter for ten minutes. The floor is concrete and stays cool even when it’s boiling outside, which is nice. We drink a lot of tea while we wait for the next rush of shoppers. Most people who come in live nearby and know exactly what they want, so we don't have to talk much. We just weigh the namkeen, take the cash, and move on to the next person. By the time evening rolls around, my back usually hurts from standing, but there’s still cleaning to do before we can head out. It is just the way the market works.