Jagdeesh Prashad Gopikishan

Our shop, Jagdeesh Prashad Gopikishan, sits right in front of the ASTC in Teok. Since we are right across from the Assam State Transport Corporation, we see the buses coming and going all day long. It's a dusty spot because of the road, but it’s where we’ve always been. The family has been running things here in Jorhat district for quite some time. We handle a bit of everything that the local folks might need. It’s a traditional setup, nothing like those modern malls you see in the bigger cities. We have wooden shelves that have been here as long as I can remember. Sometimes the light bulbs flicker and we have to give them a tap. It’s just us and a couple of helpers who have been with us for years. We know most of our customers by name, and we know their fathers too. It’s that kind of place. When the bus passengers have a long wait, they sometimes wander over to see what we have. We don't really have a big plan for the future, we just take it one day at a time. The heat gets pretty bad in the summer, so we keep the doors wide open to catch any breeze. It's a simple life, and we are content with how things are going. We just try to be fair and keep the shelves stocked with the basics that people ask for. There's usually a stray dog napping near the step when the sun is out.