Annapurna Tel Bhandar

In Ek Nath Nagar, things can get pretty busy, and running this oil shop keeps me on my toes. It’s mostly about the different types of cooking oils and basic items people need for their meals. The floor sometimes gets a little slippery if a drop spills, so I’m always cleaning that up with some sawdust. We have those big tins sitting around, and the smell of mustard and groundnut oil is always in the air. People bring their own bottles sometimes, or they just take the packed ones if they are in a hurry. It is a practical business, nothing too decorative about it. I spend a lot of time lifting heavy containers and moving them around to make space for the next delivery. Aurangabad gets quite hot, so mid-day is usually quiet when everyone stays inside, then it picks up again once the air cools down. My hands usually have a bit of oil on them by the end of the shift, no matter how many times I wash. We don’t have a big sign or anything flashy, just the name and the address where people know to find us. It’s been here a long time and the walls could probably use a new coat of paint, but it works for what we do. Dealing with the wholesalers and making sure we have enough stock for the festival seasons is the hardest part. Just a regular shop for regular folks in the neighborhood.