Shilpi Gift

Our little shop, Shilpi Gift, is situated very close to the railway station and Hotel Yuvraj in Surat. Being so near the station means we get a lot of people who are just passing through the city. They might have a few minutes before their train and they pop in to buy a souvenir or a last-minute gift for someone they are going to visit. It’s a fast-paced spot. We have to keep the shop organized so people can see what we have quickly. We carry a lot of different gift items, some small and easy to carry in a bag, others a bit larger. Surat is a busy city and this area near the station is probably one of the busiest parts. We hear the trains and the whistles all day long. Sometimes travelers come in just to ask for directions or to check the time, and we don't mind that. We've been here long enough to know the area well. The shop isn't anything special to look at from the outside, but we try to keep it friendly inside. We have some shelves with local items and others with more common things you'd find anywhere. It’s a bit of a mix. We work long hours because the trains don't stop, and neither does the flow of people. It’s a steady way to spend the day, meeting folks from all over and hearing their stories briefly.