Rutuja Provision Stores

Our shop is right at Hanuman Chowk in Wagholi, just opposite the Maruti Mandir. It’s a good spot because we can hear the temple bells ringing every morning and evening. It gives the whole street a nice feeling even when things get hectic. We start our day by cleaning the area in front of the shop and then we get to work on the stock. There are always crates to move and bags to open. Since we are near the Tarun Mitra Mandal, there is always some activity happening nearby. The shop is filled with everything from soap bars to big bags of flour. We don't have much of a system, we just know where everything is. The wooden counters have seen better days and the paint is peeling a little in the corners, but it works for us. We spend a lot of time talking to the neighbors who stop by. It’s not just about selling things, it’s about being part of the chowk. When the rains come, the road outside gets quite muddy and we have to keep a pile of old newspapers to wipe the floor. It’s a lot of physical work, lifting and reaching for things on the high shelves. By the end of the day, our backs usually ache a bit. We just close up, turn off the single bulb, and walk home. It’s a simple, honest way to make a living in Wagholi.