Kartik General Store

Our little shop is right near the Taura Police Chowki on Patoadi Road. It’s a convenient spot for people passing by on their way to work or the locals living nearby. We carry a bit of everything, from soap and biscuits to the basic things you need at home every day. The shelves are always a bit crowded because we try to fit as much as possible in the small space we have. Every morning the milk crates arrive early, and that’s usually when we open up for the day. It’s a lot of standing and talking to neighbors while they pick up their groceries or some snacks. We know most of the people who come in by their names. Sometimes it gets dusty because of the road construction nearby, so we spend a lot of time wiping down the jars and packets on the counter. It isn't a fancy supermarket, just a regular general store where you can grab a cold drink or some flour. My family helps out behind the counter when it gets busy in the evenings after everyone gets home. We don't have a computer for billing, we just use a notebook and a pen like we always have. It works fine for us. If someone is short a few rupees, we usually just tell them to bring it next time they come around. That’s just how things are around here. We’ve seen the kids in the neighborhood grow up while coming to our store for sweets. It’s a simple life on Patoadi Road.