Ramanjaneya General Stores

Being on Hanuman Junction Road in Gudem, Vijayawada means we see a lot of people passing through. It’s a busy road and the humidity here can be really draining some days. Our shop is a basic setup with some metal racks and a heavy wooden desk where we sit. We get here early to beat the worst of the heat and start getting the inventory ready. We have a lot of plastic bottles of water and soda because people are always thirsty in this weather. Stacking those crates is a daily chore that takes up a lot of our energy. The walls are painted a simple cream color that has turned a bit yellow over time. We don't have any decorations, just some hooks for hanging packets of chips and shampoo. The traffic noise is constant, with horns and engines revving all day long. Sometimes we just sit and watch the world go by from the doorway. We have a small fan that wobbles a bit, but it helps. Dealing with the distributors is the most stressful part of the job, trying to make sure they bring the right stuff on time. We don't have any big goals, we just want to keep the shop running and make sure the shelves aren't bare. It’s a lot of standing and waiting, but that’s just how it is for us on this busy junction road in Vijayawada.