Jay Maa Lakshmi General Store

Our shop, Jay Maa Lakshmi General Store, is situated at Steel Gate in the Saraidhela part of Dhanbad. We’re right on the Main Road, so it’s easy to find us if you’re passing through. I start the day with a small prayer and then open the shutters around eight every morning. We carry a wide range of household items, from detergents to snacks and grains. It’s a family-run business and we’ve been here for quite some time now. The street outside is always bustling with people going to work or the market. We have a small television in the corner to keep us updated on the news or the cricket scores. Sometimes the neighbors come in just to chat for a bit even if they don't need to buy anything. We don't mind, it makes the long day go by faster. The shelves are mostly made of wood and we've painted them a few times over the years to keep them looking okay. We try to keep the shop clean, but the Dhanbad dust is persistent and gets everywhere. We don't have any fancy marketing or posters. Just the goods on the shelves and us behind the counter. My son is learning the business now, though he spends a lot of time on his phone when I'm not looking. We offer a fair price for everything. It's a simple shop for simple people. We just want to provide what the community needs and keep the business running smoothly.