Keshari Provision Store

Running Keshari Provision Store on Shivala Road keeps me on my feet all day. Shivala is a crowded part of Varanasi, and there is never a dull moment. We keep a lot of bulk items like sacks of flour and sugar piled up in the corner. It takes a bit of muscle to move those around, especially when a new delivery arrives on a rickshaw. The shop is tucked into the street, and we try to keep things organized, though it often ends up looking a bit messy by the end of the day. I don’t use any computers here, just a simple notebook to keep track of what we owe and what we have sold. The people around here are mostly regulars who have been coming to us for years. They know where everything is, sometimes better than I do. The air in Varanasi is always thick with the smell of incense and street food, and that drifts into the shop too. I usually eat my lunch sitting on a stool behind the counter while watching the world go by. It’s a simple life, and I don’t have much to complain about. The work is steady, and there is always someone needing a kilo of dal or some tea leaves. When it rains, the water splashes into the doorway, so I have to keep a mop handy to clean it up.