Mela Ram Charan Dass

If you walk down towards Ajmeri Gate near the Delhi Metro Station, you’ll find us at 4660 Chandni Chowk. Mela Ram Charan Dass is one of those old-school spots that’s seen the area change a lot over the years. The shop isn't very large, but we pack a lot into the shelves. Being so close to the station means there is always a crowd outside. It’s noisy and dusty most days, but that is just how it is in this part of Delhi. We spend most of our mornings unpacking deliveries and chatting with the regulars who have been coming here for decades. There’s no air conditioning, just the old ceiling fans and the smell of the street outside. We handle a variety of goods, mostly things people need for their daily work or homes. It gets cramped when more than three people are inside at once. Sometimes the power goes out, and we just use flashlights until it comes back on. We don’t really do much advertising. People just know where we are because we’ve been at this address for so long. My grandfather used to say the location was the most important thing, and he was right. Dealing with the traffic and the noise is just part of the job. We keep the books by hand mostly, and we try to remember everyone's name when they walk through the door. It's a busy life here in the market, but we wouldn't have it any other way.