Ashok Kushwah

Living and working in Laxmi Nagar means you get used to the noise early on. I'm Ashok Kushwah, and my place is over at D/40/2. It's not the easiest place to find if you aren't from around here because the lanes all start looking the same after a while. I have been here long enough to remember when some of these buildings weren't even up yet. Most days start with me opening the shutters and checking the mail that came in late. New Delhi moves fast, especially in this part of town, so you have to keep your eyes open. My setup is pretty basic. A couple of desks, some chairs that have seen better days, and a lot of old notebooks. I don't see the point in buying expensive things if the old ones still work. People stop by sometimes just to chat or ask for directions, and that is fine by me. It makes the day go faster when there is someone to talk to. We aren't trying to change the world or anything. We just provide what people need and try to be fair about it. The metro is close by, so I hear the trains sometimes, which is a sound I’ve grown to like. It reminds me that everyone is going somewhere. I’m just happy to be right here in Laxmi Nagar doing my bit.