Gupta General Store

Out here in Hanuman Gadi Jharia, the air always feels a bit heavy because of the mines. Our store is located in Baniahir No 4, and it’s a plain brick building that has been here for years. We don't have fancy glass windows or air conditioning. It’s just a place where we keep the essentials that people in Dhanbad need every day. We spend a lot of time cleaning the black dust off the counters because it gets into everything. Every morning we check our stock of potatoes, onions, and basic groceries. We have to be careful with how we stack things because the space is tight. The ceiling is low and it can get quite dark inside during the day, so we keep a couple of tube lights on. There is a lot of noise from the trucks moving nearby, which is just part of living in a place like Jharia. We don't have a lot of help, so we do all the unloading and shelf-filling ourselves. It’s hard work and our hands are usually dirty by the end of the shift. People come in wearing their work clothes and buy what they need for dinner. We don't say much, just hand over the items and take the change. It’s a practical life, and we don't try to make it seem like more than it is. We are just here to provide what the local workers need.