Chowdhary Kirana Store

Our shop, Chowdhary Kirana Store, is located over in the Kardhani area of Jaipur. It’s a quiet part of town, mostly residential, which suits us just fine. I spend my days organizing the various grains and pulses we have in the big plastic bins. People usually come in with a list written on a scrap of paper. I fill the bags, tie them up with string, and move on to the next item. The air in the shop smells like a mix of cumin and turmeric because we sell a lot of spices. Jaipur summers are tough, so we keep the shutters halfway down in the afternoon to block the sun. It’s a family business, really. My son helps me with the accounts in the evening because my eyesight isn't what it used to be. We don't have a lot of space for fancy displays, so things are just stacked where they fit. You might find a stack of soap next to the tea packets. It works for us. Our customers are mostly neighbors who have lived in Kardhani as long as I have. We know who prefers which rice and who always asks for a discount. It’s not about making a fortune, just about keeping the doors open and serving the street. The routine is the same every day, but I like the familiarity of it.