Ishwar Novelty Store

If you walk into the Sabzi Market in Sheoganj, you’ll hear a lot of shouting from the vegetable sellers. Our place, Ishwar Novelty Store, is right in the thick of that. It’s a busy spot to be. We sell all the things that aren't food—shampoos, combs, small toys for kids, and plastic containers. Because we are in the market, people stop by after they finish buying their potatoes and onions. They usually have heavy bags in their hands, so they don’t stay long. They just want a quick pack of safety pins or a new hair clip. The floor gets muddy when it rains because everyone brings the street dirt inside, so we are always mopping. We have shelves that go all the way to the ceiling, and I have to use a rickety wooden ladder to reach the stuff at the top. It’s a bit dangerous but we’ve never had a fall yet. The smell of fresh coriander and wet earth from the market comes inside all day long. We don’t have a fancy display window, just things hanging from hooks near the entrance so people can see what we have as they walk past. It’s a noisy, crowded life here in Sheoganj, but we like being where the action is. Dealing with the market crowd keeps us on our toes from morning until the last vegetable stall closes up.