Raja Chanachur Store

If you are walking through Uttar Nibra in Howrah, you might smell the spices before you see our sign. We focus on chanachur and various snacks that people like to eat with their tea. It is a small place, nothing like those big supermarkets you see in the city. We spend a lot of time packing the mixes into different sized bags. Some people want just a small amount for the afternoon, while others buy big bags for their whole family. The floor usually has a bit of flour on it despite how much we sweep. It’s a messy business making snacks. We’ve been in this spot for quite some time now. Neighbors stop by and we know exactly what they like, some prefer it extra spicy and others want more peanuts. We don't have any employees, it’s just family members helping out when things get busy. The bags are stacked up on wooden benches. Sometimes the rains make it hard because the humidity isn't good for the crunch, so we have to be careful with the storage. We don't have a fancy computer to track things, we just know what’s in the containers by looking. It’s hard work and your hands always smell like cumin and mustard oil at the end of the day. But it’s what we do here in Howrah. It’s a simple trade and we like being part of the local street.