Ajay Kiryana Store

If you live around Lakshmi Nagar, you probably know where G-3a is. That’s where my kiryana store is located. I’ve been running this place for years, selling everything from loose lentils to soap bars. It’s a small shop, but I try to squeeze in as much as I can on the shelves. The morning starts early, around six, when the milk crates arrive. I spend a lot of time weighing out sugar and flour for the ladies who come by after dropping their kids at school. It’s a lot of standing around, but I get to talk to everyone in the neighborhood. I know who likes which brand of tea and who is having a party based on what they buy. The floor is just simple tiles, and I have a small wooden counter where I keep my notebook for credits. Some people still pay at the end of the month, which is fine because I’ve known them forever. Lakshmi Nagar is always crowded, and the lane outside the shop is quite narrow, so things can get a bit congested. I have a small fan that rattles a bit, but it helps in the summer. We don't have fancy lights or signs. It's just a regular store for regular people who need their daily groceries without any drama. I keep it simple and honest. I usually sit on a small plastic stool behind the counter and watch the street while waiting for the next person to come in. It’s a good way to stay involved with everyone.