Ruchi Kirana

If you ever find yourself walking through Maruti Galli in Guwahati, you’ll likely pass by Ruchi Kirana. It’s a typical small grocery store that’s been serving this neighborhood for quite some time now. I spend my whole day here among the sacks of rice and the smell of various spices. We don’t have a lot of space, so every inch of the wall is covered with shelves reaching up to the ceiling. We keep all the things people need for their daily cooking, like mustard oil, lentils, and salt. The lane outside can get quite narrow and crowded, especially when the delivery rickshaws are trying to get through to the shops. I usually handle the customers myself, and I’ve gotten to know most of the people who live nearby. They stop in for a packet of milk or some loose tea leaves in the morning. Sometimes the humidity in Guwahati makes things feel a bit sticky, but we just keep the door open for some fresh air when it's not raining. We don't use any fancy barcodes or scanners here. I just know where everything is and what it costs. It’s a simple business without any frills or extra workers. My son sometimes helps me with the heavy lifting when we get a fresh shipment of grains. We just want to provide a place where the locals can get their groceries easily. It’s a busy life, but it’s what we know.