Jagdish Kumar Purbia

I am Jagdish Kumar Purbia. My place is located in Chamanpura, right near the Radha Krishan Mandir in Loha Bazar. It’s an old part of the city, very crowded and full of life. You can hear the temple bells from my doorstep. Loha Bazar is known for its metal work and hardware, and I’ve been part of this market for a long time. My shop isn't very large, but it’s packed from floor to ceiling. We handle a lot of different items, mostly things that last a long time. I learned the business from my father, who had a shop not far from here. It's a family tradition, really. The streets are narrow, so it’s better if you don't try to bring a big car right to the door. Most people walk or use bikes. I know almost every other shopkeeper on this block. We look out for each other. Sometimes I close up for a bit during the afternoon prayers, but I’m usually back quickly. I don’t use any fancy computers to keep track of my stock. I know where everything is just by looking. It might look like a mess to someone from outside, but there’s an order to it. If you need something specific from the bazaar, I can probably find it or tell you who has it. It’s a busy, noisy life, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. People come for the honesty, not for a fancy display.