Om Jagdish Gupta

To find us, you have to go through Ajmeri Gate and head into Deenanath Ji Ka Rasta until you see number 108. It’s a narrow lane, and it can be hard to find if you aren't used to these old parts of the city. We’ve been here at Om Jagdish Gupta for a long time now. The building is old and the walls are thick, which helps a little when it gets hot outside. Space is limited, so we use every inch of the shelves and the floor. The street outside is usually full of people and cows and bikes squeezed together. It’s a very traditional atmosphere. Sitting on a raised wooden platform is where we spend most of the day, dealing with the people who come in. Drinking tea and talking about the news or the weather is a big part of the work. There’s no rush here like there is in the newer parts of town. We do things at our own pace. Marketing teams or people telling us how to talk don't exist here. We just treat people fairly and hope they come back. Sometimes we close up for an hour in the afternoon for a nap or a meal. It is a quiet kind of existence compared to the big malls. Knowing the history of this lane and the families who have lived here for generations is important to us.