Kumar Traders

Working in Marufganj means you have to be okay with crowds. Our shop, Kumar Traders, is right near the Mahavir Temple and not far from the Patna Railway Station Road. The sound of trains and the shouting of rickshaw drivers is basically the background music of our lives. We deal in all sorts of trade goods and the warehouse is usually packed to the ceiling. It gets really hot in the summer, especially with all the people moving around the temple area. We don't have fancy air conditioning or a glass front. It’s a sturdy old place with heavy shutters that we pull up every morning. We spend a lot of time writing out receipts by hand and checking our ledgers. The tea guy comes by twice a day, and that’s usually when we take a break. Most of our customers are regulars who have been coming to Marufganj for years. They know we aren't here to put on a show. We just keep the shelves stocked and try to stay organized in the middle of all the Patna chaos. Sometimes the stock arrives late because of the traffic near the station, and we just have to wait it out. It’s a bit messy and loud, but this is where we work. We focus on the daily tasks and try to make sure nobody leaves with the wrong order or a bad attitude.