Ghulam Jeelani

The shop is situated in the Khawaja Bazar area of Nowhatta in Srinagar. It’s a place where we mostly handle the essential items that people in the neighborhood use every single day. We carry things like local spices, lentils, and other groceries that are common in Kashmiri households. The shop is named after the owner, and it has been a part of the local community here for quite some time. We don't really go in for any big marketing or signs; people just know we are here and they come in when they need something. The bazar can be quite crowded and noisy, especially on certain days of the week, but inside the shop, we just focus on getting the orders right. We spend our time filling up jars and making sure the stock doesn't run out. It's hard work sometimes, especially when we have to carry heavy sacks of flour or rice inside the small space. There is always something to do, whether it's sweeping the floor or re-arranging the items on the shelves to make more room. We see a lot of the same faces every morning, people coming in for their daily bread or milk. It’s a simple, modest business that relies on the people living nearby. We just aim to be there and have what they need when they walk through the door, dealing with things in a straightforward and practical way.