Mahendra Provision Store

Running a store on Suket Road in Ramganj Mandi means you get to know everyone's grocery habits. I open up early because the ladies like to get their lentils and spices before they start the morning cooking. We have big bags of rice and flour sitting on the floor, and the smell of turmeric and dried chilies is always in the air. It’s a family-run thing, so you might see my kids running around in the back or my wife helping out when the line gets long. The road outside can get pretty muddy when it rains, so we spend a lot of time mopping the floor. We don't have those fancy scanners; I just remember the prices and use a calculator or a notebook. Sometimes we run out of something and I have to tell people to come back on Tuesday when the truck comes. It’s a small shop but we try to keep the basics in stock. We’ve been at this location for many years now and the neighbors are more like friends. We share news and talk about the weather while I weigh out the sugar. There isn't any big marketing plan here. We just put the goods on the shelves and wait for the bell on the door to ring. It’s a steady way to live and we wouldn't have it any other way.