Tulsiram Jashraj Kirana Staoe

Our shop is right there in Surajpole, which is a busy spot to be in. We have been running this kirana store for many years now. Every morning starts the same way, unlocking the shutters and sweeping out the dust from the street. We stock all the usual things people need like lentils, rice, spices, and soaps. The bags of grain sit out front so people can see what we have. It gets quite cramped inside when more than three or four customers come in at once. We know most of the families around here since they have been buying their monthly rations from us forever. Sometimes children come in with a few coins for some sweets after school. The Surajpole area is always moving, so there is never really a quiet moment. We spend a lot of time weighing things out on the scales and packing them into brown paper bags or plastic pouches. It’s a bit of a mess sometimes with the flour dust getting everywhere, but that’s just how it goes in a grocery shop. We don’t have a big team, just a couple of us handling the counter and the stocking. We try to keep things fresh, but sometimes the supply truck is late and we have to tell people to come back tomorrow. It’s a simple life, just selling what people need for their kitchens and chatting with the neighbors while we work.