Arathi Novelties & Gift Centre

Arathi Novelties & Gift Centre is my small shop in Nagashettyhalli. We are situated right opposite the HP Gas agency. That is the easiest way to explain where we are because everyone knows where to get their gas cylinders. I spend most of my day here surrounded by all the different things I sell. We have a bit of everything—toys, small gifts, and some novelty items that kids like. The shop isn't very big, so I have to be careful about how I arrange everything on the shelves. Nagashettyhalli is a pretty quiet area compared to the center of the city. We have a lot of regulars who live in the houses nearby. They stop in to say hello or to buy a small gift for a birthday. It’s a simple routine. I open the shutters in the morning, sweep the floor, and wait for the first customer. Sometimes it is very slow, especially in the middle of the afternoon when it gets hot outside. I just sit and listen to the traffic or talk to the neighbors. It’s not a fancy business, and I don't have any big plans to change it. I just like having my own spot and being part of the community here. It’s a lot of work to keep the shop running by myself, but I’ve gotten used to it over the years. We just stay here across from the gas place and keep doing what we do.