Modern Crafts

Modern Crafts is located at 192 Palika Bazar, right in the heart of Connaught Place. If you’ve ever been to Palika, you know it’s all underground. There is no sunlight in here, just the bright fluorescent lights and the sound of the air conditioning vents. Our shop is number 192, and like most shops in the bazar, it’s a tight squeeze. We have every inch of the walls covered with our items. There’s a small counter where we sit, and that’s pretty much the only place to stand if there are more than two people inside. CP is always bustling above us, but down here in the bazar, it’s a different world. We see all kinds of people walking past our glass front. Some stop, some don't. We don’t do any big advertising; we just stay open and keep the display looking full. It can get a bit stuffy during the peak hours, so we take turns going upstairs to get some fresh air and see the sky. Palika Bazar is a legendary place in Delhi, and we’ve been part of it for a while now. We know the guards and the other shopkeepers in our row. It’s a routine. Unlock the shutters, turn on the lights, and wait for the underground crowds to arrive. We don’t have a mission statement. We just sell what we have and try to keep things organized in a very small space. It is a long day under the lights, but we are used to it.