Vaishnavi General Store

Daliganj Market is a hectic place to be, but it’s home for us. We are situated right near the Rain Basera, which means there’s always people walking past the door at all hours. I usually get here while the vegetable sellers are still setting up their carts outside. It’s a lot of work keeping a general store running in Lucknow. You have to keep track of so many small items, from safety pins to large sacks of rice. I spend a lot of my time talking to the suppliers on the phone, trying to make sure they don't forget my order. The shop is tucked away a bit, but once you know where we are, it’s easy to find. I don't have a big staff, just me and my nephew who comes in during the afternoons. We use an old scale that has been in the family for years, though I had to get it recalibrated recently. People in Daliganj like to haggle a bit, but I just tell them the prices are what they are. It’s not a place with air conditioning or bright lights, just a regular shop with wooden counters and some old posters on the wall. I like the smell of the spices when I open a fresh bag. It reminds me of why I started doing this in the first place. It’s honest work and it keeps the family fed. Some days are longer than others but we always open the door on time.