Ashoka Stores

184 Johari Bazar is where you will find us, right on Gopal Ji Ka Rasta. If you have ever been to this part of town, you know how crowded it gets. The lane is narrow, and there is always someone moving something or a scooter trying to squeeze past. Our store is tucked in there among all that noise and bustle. We sell all sorts of things, mostly items people need for their daily lives. The shelves go all the way to the ceiling, so we use an old wooden ladder that has seen better days. It has been here since my father’s time. We do not bother much with fancy decorations or lights. The walls could probably use a fresh coat of paint, but we are usually too busy keeping up with the inventory. Customers come in and out, some just to chat for a minute, others with a long list of things to buy. It gets really hot in the middle of the day, so we keep a small fan running behind the counter. It does not do much, but it is something. Dealing with suppliers is the hardest part, especially when the trucks cannot get into the narrow rasta. We end up carrying boxes by hand for quite a distance. It is hard work, and my back feels it by the evening. Still, it is home to us. We have seen the bazaar change a lot over the years, but our little corner stays mostly the same.