Khan General Store

The shop is right here in Hamdaniya Colony at the Main Chowk in Bemina. Most mornings start early when it’s still cold outside and the mist is hanging over the road. We pull up the heavy iron shutters and the noise echoes through the street before anyone else is really awake. Srinagar winters are tough, so we spend a lot of time just trying to stay warm while waiting for the first few people to stop by. There is always a lot to do, like checking what’s left on the shelves and making sure the milk crates are where they belong. We have been in this spot for a while now and the view of the crossing hasn't changed much. Cars honk, people walk to work, and we just sit here behind the counter. Sometimes the electricity goes out and we have to use candles or just sit in the dim light until it comes back. It is a simple place with bags of flour and jars of sweets lined up. We don't have fancy lights or anything. Just the basic things people need for their kitchens. Sometimes the floor gets muddy because of the rain or snow, and we have to sweep it out every hour. It is just a routine. We open, we sit, we talk to whoever comes in, and we close when it gets dark and quiet again. That's how it goes every day at the chowk.