Amit General Store

Raja Ki Mandi is always full of people, and my shop is right in the middle of it. Amit General Store has been here in Kanpur for years. It’s a bit of a squeeze inside because I try to fit as much stock as possible on the shelves. You can find things for the kitchen, for the bathroom, or for school. I even keep some thread and needles because people always seem to lose theirs. The lighting isn't great, so I have to use a torch sometimes to find things in the back corners. It gets very loud outside with all the rickshaws and vendors shouting, but I am used to it now. I usually eat my snacks standing up because there isn't much room to sit down comfortably. Sometimes my friends stop by just to say hello and we share a cup of tea. I don't have a computer or any modern machines. I just use a calculator and my ledger book to keep track of everything. The floor is made of old stone and it’s a bit uneven, but it has character. I close late because that's when most people finish their own work and realize they need something for dinner. It’s a long day, but it’s what I know. Being a shopkeeper here means you never really have a dull moment with the crowds outside.