Chandra Babu General Store

Located right at Pachouia Chauraha in Kanpur, Chandra Babu General Store has seen a lot of seasons pass. It's a simple setup we have here. I spend most of my day behind the wooden counter, weighing out grains or packing up oil. The dust from the road sometimes comes in, so we are always wiping down the glass jars. People come by for their monthly rations or just a quick pack of matches. It gets loud outside with the traffic, but inside it smells like spices and laundry soap. I try to stock the basics that every household needs. Sometimes the delivery truck is late, and I have to tell customers to come back tomorrow. They don't mind much because we've lived here forever. My father started this, and I just kept it going because it felt right. We don't have those bright lights or fancy scanners you see in malls. We use a pen and a notebook to keep track of things. It’s a lot of math in my head. Pachouia Chauraha is a busy spot, so there’s always someone stopping by for a chat or a cold drink. It’s a bit cramped in the back where we keep the extra rice bags, but we manage. Running a shop in Kanpur means you have to be ready for the heat. We just keep the fan running and serve the neighborhood. It’s a quiet life, mostly.