Neelam Masala Chakki

If you walk down Gali No. 103 in Tukmirpur, you’ll hear us before you see us. We are located right near Taigore Public School. Neelam Masala Chakki is a small local spot where we grind spices. The sound of the chakki is constant from morning until evening. It’s a busy little street, especially when the school lets out and all the kids are running around. We’ve been here for years, and most of the ladies in the neighborhood bring their own chilies and coriander for us to grind. It’s a dusty job, and by the end of the day, we’re usually covered in a layer of red or yellow powder. We don’t have any fancy packaging or a corporate office. It’s just a room with the machines and some bags of spices. We talk to everyone who comes in, asking about their kids or the weather. It’s how we’ve always done things. Sometimes the machines get too hot and we have to take a break, so we sit outside on a stool and watch the people go by. We don't use any big marketing tricks. We just provide a service that people around here need. It’s hard work and it’s loud, but it’s our life in Tukmirpur and we wouldn't have it any other way. We just keep grinding, day after day, making sure the local kitchens have the powder they need to make dinner for their families.