Agrawal General Store

Gandhi Path here in Jaipur has changed a lot over the years, but Agrawal General Store stays mostly the same. I have been running this shop for quite some time now. It is a bit of a walk from the main road, but people still find their way here for their basic needs. I keep things like pickles, soaps, and different kinds of pulses. The shelves go all the way up to the ceiling, so I have to use a small wooden ladder to reach the top rows. It is a bit rickety, but it does the job. I don't bother with fancy displays or posters on the walls. Most of the space is just used for storage. Sometimes a stray dog will sit near the entrance to stay cool, and I don't mind as long as it doesn't get in the way. I usually have my lunch in a tiffin box behind the counter while waiting for customers. The fan hums loudly, and sometimes I forget to turn it off when I leave. People ask for credit sometimes, and I have a separate book for that, though I prefer cash. It is just a small local shop where everyone knows everyone else. I like the routine of it, the opening and the closing, and the small talk in between. The days are long but it is a steady life and I am content with that.