Pradeep Store

Running a small shop in Dharavi is a world of its own. Here at Shop No 2 in the Rajabali Compound, there is honestly never a quiet moment from dawn until dusk. From early in the morning until late at night, people are constantly passing by the front door. We stock whatever the neighbors seem to need for their daily lives. It might be a bit cramped inside the shop, but we know exactly where every single item is kept on the shelves. The racks are built high and packed very tight to save space. I have lived around this area for most of my life, so I recognize almost all the faces that walk through the door. We talk about the weather or the changing price of rice while I bag up their things. It is not a fancy supermarket; it is just a local spot for the community. Sometimes little kids come in for a single piece of chocolate. Other times it is mothers getting ingredients for the evening meal. The Rajabali area is always buzzing with some kind of noise. You get used to the sound of scooters and the neighbors talking loudly. I do not have a big staff helping me out. It is mostly just family members taking turns behind the counter. We keep our books by hand. It is honest work and it keeps us going. Every day is different even if we sell the same goods.