Hanuman Stores

Our shop, Hanuman Stores, is located in the Dharavi Gorwa area. It’s a small place but we pack a lot of things into it every day. If you walk through the narrow lanes here, you’ll find us easily because we’re usually the ones with the most activity around the entrance. We sell all the basic stuff people in the neighborhood need, like soap, grains, and snacks for the kids. It’s a busy environment in Dharavi, and there is never really a quiet moment from morning to night. We start our day by setting out the crates and making sure the jars are filled up on the counter. Most of our customers are people we've known for years, so we spend as much time talking as we do selling things. The store is a bit dark inside because the buildings are so close together, but we know where every single item is kept on the shelves. It’s a bit of a squeeze when more than two people are inside at once. We don’t have a website or any fancy advertisements; people just know we are here and that we have what they need. The Gorwa area has its own rhythm, and we’ve been a part of it for a long time. It’s hard work, standing on your feet all day and moving heavy sacks of rice, but it’s what we do. At the end of the day, we pull down the shutters and get ready to start again tomorrow.