Manoj Ram

Down here at Malti Market in the Kurji More area of Patna, things never really stay quiet for long. My name is Manoj Ram, and this is where I spend most of my hours every single day. The market is a very old place, and you can feel that in the way the buildings are shaped and how the narrow lanes twist around. My shop is just one of many, but I have my own corner where I keep all the general items people in Patliputra might need. There are stacks of notebooks, pens, and all sorts of household things like detergents and pulses. The walls could use a new coat of paint, but I never seem to find the time to get it done because there is always something to sell or a delivery to take in. Patna summers are very tough, so I usually keep a big jug of water nearby and stay under the fan. I know many of the people who walk past because they have been living in this part of the city for years. We talk about the local news or the traffic while I weigh out their groceries. It is a simple life, mostly just keeping track of what is in stock and making sure the shop is open on time. The evening rush is the hardest part of the day, but once the sun goes down and the market lights come on, it feels quite peaceful here. We just keep the business going one day at a time.