FOR many, stores such as The Little Store and Praimsingh's, both located on Rapsey Street in Curepe, are one-stop shops with everything one would need to celebrate holidays such as Divali. However, these stores are more than pooja outlets, but have been hubs for religious and spiritual observations, as well as centres for culture and cuisine.
With businesses that span multiple generations both the Little Store and Praimsingh's have built legacies out of their devotion to religion, culture and customer service.
Now, with a new generation of leaders at the helm both stores are, in different ways, looking to the future while holding firm to the standards and morals established in the past.
Legacy
The Little Store and Praimsingh's both have rich histories, having grown out of the early businesses and developments in Curepe.
Babu Praimsingh (1890-1956) founded Praimsingh's in the 1940s when he left his home in Bihar, India and came to TT after spending years travelling back and forth from places such as Natal (a city in east Brazil), South Africa, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela. He married and settled in Tacarigua before moving to Curepe, establishing Praimsingh's as one of the nation’s first pooja store.
Back then the store started as a popular shop, selling local home-made snacks. As he got older, his thirst for knowledge grew. He took several trips to India and he began sharing his Hindu faith through his shop, selling religious books and pictures. As popularity among pundits, intellectuals and people in the neighbourhood grew Praimsingh’s expanded its inventory with brass items, pooja materials and other East Indian goods.
The love for East Indian culture and spirituality was carried on through generations to Ajeet Praimsingh who took over the business in 1979 from his mother Popo “Iron Lady” Praimsingh, Babu’s daughter-in-law.
[caption id="attachment_1044562" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Barfi mix and ladoo dhal on sale at Praimsingh's in Curepe. - Photo by Ryan Hamilton-Davis[/caption]
Ajeet, who grew up following his parents and grandparents’ business acumen and spirituality, started setting trends through his love for indigenous culture. He prepared handouts for every religious occasion for free to customers, and implemented a religious seasonal section where he displayed books, murties, and materials for each season.
Throughout his life and through the business, Ajeet championed spirituality and culture through the business. The Praimsingh's record label introduced several major East Indian artistes to TT. He was also the founder of the Mere Desh Committee as a means to educate communities on East Indian achievements.
Ajeet himself was the recipient of many awards for his own achievements in promoting East Indian culture. His awards included the national Humming Bird (silver) medal, the Chaguanas Borough Corporation Mayor’s award and the National Chutney Foundation and National Cultural Promotion award.
Similarly, the Little Store came from humble beginnings. Founded 65 years ago b
