Aggarwal Shud Bhoojnalya

Most mornings start around five here in Bhiwani when we light the fires and get the big pots of water boiling for the day's first batch of tea. Being so close to the railway station means there is always a crowd of people coming and going with heavy bags and umbrellas, looking for a quick bite that feels like home. Our kitchen at Aggarwal Shud Bhoojnalya is small and the heat from the stove gets pretty intense by noon, but we just keep the fans running and stay busy. The tables are basic and the chairs have some scratches, but they do the job for anyone who needs to sit down for a plate of hot rotis and dal. You can hear the train whistles blowing all day long while the staff is busy rolling out dough and wiping down the stainless steel plates. We do not have fancy menus or anything like that. We just write the daily items on a board and hope the salt is just right. Sometimes it gets a bit loud with the traffic outside and the station announcements, but that is just how life is in this part of town. We spend a lot of time cleaning the floors and making sure the water jugs are full for the travelers. It is simple work, really, just making sure people leave with a full stomach before they catch their next train or head back to their villages.