Banothu Lakshmi

My place is in Lal Thanda, which is part of Sirikonda village. If you go to the Mothey Mandal, you can find us at House Number 4-1. It is a small area, and life here is very connected to the land. I run this small business because there are things people need without having to travel all the way to the bigger towns. We have a lot of items that farmers and families use every day. The Thanda is a close-knit spot, and my house is usually where people gather to see what’s new or to get their supplies. It gets very bright and sunny out here, and we spend a lot of time outside on the porch area. I handle the stock myself, mostly. It involves a lot of lifting and moving bags or boxes around. Sometimes my neighbors help me out if a big shipment arrives. It is not a corporate job with a desk. My hands are usually busy with something or other. I've been in Sirikonda for a long time, so I know exactly what people are looking for when they walk up to the door. We don't have regular office hours; I’m usually around whenever the door is open. It’s about being useful to the people who live nearby. There is always tea being made and people talking about the crops or the weather. That’s just how it is at our place in the Thanda.