Ashish Jain Kirana Store

Our kirana store is tucked away in Masjid Gali, which is right near the Kota Junction area. It is a very narrow street, so we get a lot of people walking by on their way to the train station or the mosque. We sell all the usual daily staples like different types of dal, sacks of rice, sugar, and loose tea leaves. We have known some of our customers for many years, since they were children. They stop by to pick up their monthly rations and usually stay to chat for a few minutes about the weather or local news. The job involves a lot of lifting heavy sacks and weighing out portions on the scale. It can be a bit dusty with the flour and grains, so we are always sweeping the floor. We open very early in the morning because that is when the milk and bread arrive. The shop is small and the shelves go all the way up to the ceiling. We have to use a wooden ladder to reach the items at the top. It is a traditional way of running a store, and we don't see any reason to change it. There is a ceiling fan that wobbles a bit, but it keeps the air moving. We enjoy being part of this neighborhood. It is a lot of hard work and long hours, but it is what we have always done.