On Shanti Store

On Shanti Store is right by the Kashi Station in the Rajghat area of Varanasi. Being in a place like Varanasi means things are always moving, and there’s a lot of energy around. We are situated near the ghats, so we get a lot of people who are visiting the river or coming off the trains at Kashi. The shop is small and a bit old, with walls that have seen many seasons. We sell things like matches, incense, snacks, and bottled water, which people always seem to need. The noise from the station is constant, with whistles and announcements echoing through the air all day and night. We try to keep the store organized, but it’s hard when space is so limited. We’ve been here in 221001 for a while, and we’ve seen the area change quite a bit. Despite the changes, the daily routine of opening the shop and greeting the regulars stays the same. We don’t have a computer or anything like that; we just use a calculator and a pen. Sometimes we sit outside on a plastic chair when it's slow, watching the pilgrims and the locals go about their business. It’s a simple way to make a living, and it feels right to be part of the life here at Rajghat. We just keep our heads down and keep the shelves filled as best as we can for anyone who stops by.