Sree Raghavendra General Stores

Living and working in Mantralayam village is a different pace of life. Our shop, Sree Raghavendra General Stores, is right near the RTC Bus Stand. Because of the location, we see a lot of travelers coming through Kurnool district. They are usually tired and looking for a cold drink or some snacks before they head out again. We keep a bit of everything on the shelves, from soap to biscuits to basic medicines. It’s a small space and the shelves go all the way to the ceiling, so I usually have to use a wooden stick to reach the stuff at the top. The fan doesn't do much when the afternoon heat hits, but we stay open anyway. We know almost everyone in the village, so a lot of the day is just spent catching up on news while they buy their daily milk or eggs. It’s not a supermarket. It’s just a counter and some crates of soda on the floor. Sometimes the bus drivers stop by for a quick tea. We don't have a computer system; I still write everything down in a thick yellow book at the end of the day. It’s a lot of work, and the hours are long from early morning until late night, but it keeps the family going. We don't plan on changing much, just staying here for the village and the people passing through the bus stand.