Balaji Market

Balaji Market is down here in Dattawadi, Pune, near the Mhatre Bridge Road. If you know where the Bank of India is or the Dattawadi Kaman, you can find us pretty easily. The shop is in a spot that sees a lot of traffic because of the bridge and the local temple nearby. I usually have a lot of work to do just keeping the shelves stocked with the basics like oil, flour, and different kinds of soaps. The space isn't huge, so I have to be careful about how I stack things so they don't fall over. Sometimes the bikes park right in front and make it hard for people to walk in, which is a bit of a headache. Pune gets quite rainy during the monsoon, so I have to make sure the bags of grain stay dry and the floor doesn't get too muddy from people walking in. I’ve worked here for a long time and I know most of the people who live in the surrounding buildings. They come in for small things, maybe a loaf of bread or some matches. I don't use any computers or anything like that, just a simple calculator and a pen. The walls are a bit stained from years of use and the fan makes a clicking sound when it’s on the highest setting, but it’s a good enough place to spend the day. I just try to keep everything in stock so nobody leaves empty-handed.