Raju Karyana Stores

You can find Raju Karyana Stores over at number 15 in Abdullapur Basti. It’s not a very large place, but we try to keep the essentials ready for whoever walks in. Most of our customers are neighbors who just need a few things for their daily meals. I get up early to open the shutters because the milk delivery comes before the sun is even fully up. The shelves are made of simple wood and they’ve started to sag a little under the weight of the canned goods and jars. I don't really have a system for where everything goes, I just know where I put things. It’s a bit chaotic to an outsider but it works for me. We have a small radio that plays local stations in the background while I wait for customers. Sometimes the kids from the street come in for a single piece of candy or a small packet of chips. I usually keep a chair near the door so I can watch the street while it’s quiet. Abdullapur Basti is a busy place and there’s always something happening outside. We don't do any delivery or anything like that; people just walk over and carry their bags home. It’s been this way for years and I don't see any reason to change it. It’s just a small shop where you get what you need and maybe hear a bit of gossip while you pay.