Jai Shree Shyam

Working at Jai Shree Shyam on VKIA Station Road is a bit different because this is an industrial area. There are a lot of factories and warehouses nearby at number 109, so we see many workers coming in during their breaks. They usually want things like matches, cigarettes, bottled water, or quick snacks. We keep a good supply of tea leaves and sugar because people here drink a lot of tea to stay awake during long shifts. The shop floor is concrete and it’s seen a lot of wear over the years. I usually spend my time unpacking boxes of soap or stacking tins of oil. It is often quite hot inside because the building is old and the ceiling isn't very high. We don't use a computer for anything; everything is just written down in a notebook when we need to remember a price or a delivery date. The noise from the trains and the heavy machinery nearby is constant, so we have to speak up when talking to customers. It’s not a fancy place to visit, but it serves a purpose for the people who work in the VKIA area. Sometimes a truck driver will stop by and ask for directions while picking up some basic supplies for his trip. We just stay open until the evening shifts change and then we head home ourselves. It is steady work and we are used to the rhythm of the industrial station road.