Rakesh Kirana Store

Rakesh Kirana Store has been a part of Ashok Nagar for a long time. We are at Plot No-A 7, which is very close to Tyagi Dairy. Most people in this part of Shahdara use the dairy as a landmark to find us. It is a typical local grocery store where we stock all the daily essentials. We have stacks of rice bags, tins of oil, and jars of sweets for the kids. The shop is a bit cramped because we try to fit as much as possible onto the wooden shelves. I usually sit behind the counter while my nephew helps people find what they need. It gets very busy in the evenings when people are coming back from the metro and need to pick up stuff for dinner. We don't have a computer for billing; we just use a notepad and a calculator. It is faster that way for us. Sometimes the electricity goes out and we have to use candles or a small torch to see the items at the back. We know everyone's family stories because people like to chat while we weigh their dal or flour. It is not just about selling things; it is about being part of the neighborhood. We stay open late most nights because we know someone always forgets to buy milk or sugar until the last minute. The floor gets a bit muddy when it rains, but we just mop it up and keep going. My calculator is missing a button.