Kamla General Store

Operating Kamla General Store at the Argora Bypass Chowk in Ranchi is a lot of work. The road is always full of trucks and cars going past, so it gets very dusty and noisy outside. We have a simple shop with a concrete floor and some basic metal shelving. We keep a lot of snacks and drinks because people traveling on the bypass often stop here for a break. We also have the usual household stuff like matches, oil, and soap for the families who live just behind the main road. The bypass is a busy place, and we are usually open from very early in the morning until late. We don't have any staff, so we do everything ourselves, from mopping the floor to stacking the heavy bags of rice. The ceiling fan wobbles a bit and makes a clicking sound, but it keeps us cool enough. We have a small porch area where we keep the empty crates. Sometimes the rain comes down really hard and we have to move everything inside quickly so it doesn't get wet. We don't have a fancy computer system for the bills; we just use a paper pad and a pen. It is an honest living and we have been at this spot for a good while now. We know the truck drivers who pass by regularly and the local people who come in for their daily milk. It is just a regular store at a busy crossroads.