Bhat Provisional Store

Rainawari is a unique part of Srinagar. Bhat Provisional Store is my little space here, in the 190003 area. Living in Srinagar means the seasons really dictate how things go. In the winter, it gets very cold, and I have to stay wrapped up in my pheran while waiting for customers. The shop is small and full of things people need for their kitchens. I have lentils, rice, spices, and some canned goods. It’s not a supermarket. It’s just a room with shelves. I don’t have fancy displays or neon signs. People from the neighborhood come by because it’s close. We talk about the weather or the news while I weigh out their groceries. Sometimes the electricity is a bit patchy, especially when it snows. I use a manual scale for some things because it’s more reliable. The shop has a certain smell—a mix of spices and old wood. It’s a comfortable place for me. I’ve spent many years here in Rainawari. The streets are narrow, and sometimes it’s hard for the delivery trucks to get through. I have to carry the boxes in myself sometimes. It’s hard work, but it’s my work. I don't make a big deal out of it. It’s just a provisional store where people get what they need for their dinner. That’s all there is to it.