Shah Provisional Store

Out here at Sanat Nagar Chowk in Srinagar, you’ll find Shah Provisional Store. It’s a busy intersection, so there is always something going on outside. We’ve been running this place for a while, dealing in all the regular groceries people need. We stock bags of flour, spices, oils, and various packaged foods. The winters can be tough, so we make sure to have enough stock when the weather turns cold and people can't get out as much. Inside, it’s mostly just shelves and a counter where we sit. It’s not a modern supermarket, just a traditional provisional store where everything is within reach. We know most of the families living around Sanat Nagar. They come in for their monthly rations or just for a small packet of salt. Sometimes we have to move things around to make room for new crates of soft drinks or winter supplies. The lighting inside is a bit dim, but we know where every single item is kept. It’s a family-run kind of thing. We don’t use any high-tech gadgets, just a simple calculator and a ledger. We start early and stay open until the evening lights come on at the chowk. It’s honest work and it keeps us connected to the neighborhood. We just take it one day at a time, making sure the shelves aren't empty for long. There is always a lot to do, from cleaning the floor to restocking the jars.