Dashmesh Karyana Store

Living and working near Punjab Mata Nagar Chowk in Ludhiana means there is never a quiet moment. Dashmesh Karyana Store is right in the middle of all that noise and movement. I have spent many years behind this counter. The shop is full of bags of lentils, spices, and all the usual things people need for their kitchens. Every morning the trucks go past the chowk making a lot of sound. I start by organizing the sacks and making sure the jars are closed tight against the humidity. Customers come in throughout the day. Some are in a big rush, while others like to stand and talk about the weather or the local news. We know most of the families around here. They send their kids to pick up small things like salt or matchboxes. It is a lot of work to keep track of everything. The shelves are always getting messy because people move things around. I spend my afternoons restacking boxes and checking the dates on the snacks. My hands are usually a bit dusty from the flour bags. It’s just how it is in a karyana store. We are part of the 141001 area and have seen it change over the years. Buildings go up and shops change names, but we are still here doing the same thing. It is a decent living and it keeps us busy from dawn till late at night.