Sonali The Genral Store

Our place, Sonali The Genral Store, is tucked into Gupta Market on the Patna Khagaul Road. We are near Nehru School, which means we see a lot of students and parents throughout the day. In the mornings, it is usually parents grabbing something quick for a lunchbox or kids wanting a small treat before class starts. Then it gets quiet for a bit until the afternoon bell rings. Anisabad is a crowded area of Patna, but being near the school gives this corner a different feel. We keep all kinds of general items on our shelves. It could be notebooks and pens or just household things like detergent and soap. The shop isn't very large, so we have to use every bit of space we have, even stacking things high up. We have lived around here for a long time, so we know most of the families whose kids go to Nehru School. It is nice to see the children grow up over the years while we are behind the counter. Working in a genral store means you never really know what someone will ask for next. One minute it is a packet of salt and the next it is a specific type of hair oil. We just try to keep the basics in stock so nobody has to go too far. It is honest work and it keeps us busy from Monday to Saturday. It can be tiring, but it is our way of making a living here. We just keep going.