Birla Cement Works

Out here in Chanderia, things are a bit different than the city. Birla Cement Works is a large operation, but when you’re on the ground, it just feels like a lot of hard work and heavy machinery. The air always has that heavy, earthy smell of stone and grit. It’s a place where boots get dirty the second you step out of the car. We spend most of our hours in the middle of the dust and the heat. There isn't much shade around the worksite, so everyone wears hats and stays near the water coolers. The buildings are old and have that solid, industrial look that tells you they’ve been here for decades. We don’t have fancy carpets or glass walls in our offices. It’s mostly concrete floors and metal filing cabinets that have been dented over the years. We keep the paperwork in order as best we can, but it’s a constant battle against the fine dust that creeps in through the window cracks. The workers here are mostly locals from around Chanderia who have been doing this for a long time. There is a specific rhythm to the day, from the first whistle in the morning to the trucks pulling out in the evening. It’s not a glamorous life, but there is something satisfying about seeing the output leave the gates every day. We just keep our heads down and do the work.