Astha General Store

This is our small store in Kota, Rajasthan. We are located near the Head Office area. It’s a hot place for most of the year. The shop is a simple room with shelves on all three sides. We stock things like dal, rice, spices, and some plastic items for the kitchen. Many students live in this city because of the coaching centers, so we see a lot of young faces. They come in for instant noodles or notebooks. We try to keep what they need. It’s mostly just sitting and waiting for the next person to walk in. I’ve lived in Kota all my life and this shop is what I know. We don't have any staff, just family members helping out. The floor is tiled but some are cracked. We don't bother fixing it because it doesn't stop anyone from buying. The street outside is usually full of bikes. We open at ten because the mornings are for chores at home. We stay open until the market starts to quiet down at night. There’s a certain way things are done here. No rush, no big talk. We just weigh the goods, take the cash, and say hello. It’s a basic general store. We keep the basics because that’s what people around here want. It keeps us busy and pays the bills. We have a small radio that plays old songs in the background. Sometimes we offer a glass of water to whoever looks tired from the heat outside. It’s just how we do things.