Shri Charbhuja Kirana Store

The shop at Shri Charbhuja Kirana Store opens early, usually around seven when the sun is just starting to hit the Jhalawar Road. It gets pretty dusty out here in Suket because of all the trucks passing by, so the first thing we do is sweep the front step. Inside, the shelves are packed with everything from big bags of lentils to small packets of biscuits. It’s not a very big space, and sometimes it feels a bit cramped when three or four people are standing inside at once. We spend a lot of time just moving boxes around and making sure the sugar hasn't got damp. There is a ceiling fan that makes a bit of a clicking sound, but it keeps the air moving while we wait for the next person to come in. Most people who stop by are just neighbors from around Ramganj Mandi or folks passing through on their way to the city. We don't have fancy displays or anything like that. It’s just rows of jars and sacks on the floor. Sometimes we run out of something and have to wait for the delivery truck, which is just how things go. We try to keep things simple and just focus on getting the right items into the bags. The floor is made of old stone and it stays cool even when the afternoon gets really hot outside. It’s a quiet life most of the time, just counting out change and talking about the weather.