Tony General Store

Down in Kankerkhera Market in Meerut, things are always a bit chaotic. Tony General Store is at Shop No-33, right in the heart of Chota Bazar. We are pretty close to Snatan Dharam Inter College, so we see a lot of students every single day. They come in for pens, notebooks, or just some sweets after their classes are over. The noise from the market is constant—horns honking, people shouting, and the general buzz of Meerut life. I’ve been working here for a long time now. The shop is filled with all sorts of things, from household cleaners to biscuits. I try to keep it organized, but with so many small items, it’s a constant battle. The shelves are made of old wood and they groan a bit under the weight of the tins. I usually have a radio playing in the corner, mostly just for some background noise. In the winter, it gets quite cold in the market, so I keep a small heater near my feet. People stop by not just to shop, but sometimes just to stand under the awning when it rains. It’s a busy little spot and I rarely get a moment to sit down during the peak hours. It’s hard work, standing all day and dealing with so many different personalities, but it’s what I know how to do.