Mani Bai Katravath

I live and work out of H No 2-39/1 in Shekpally Tanda, which is over in Gandeed. My name is Mani Bai Katravath and I've been here my whole life. The Tanda is a small place, and everyone knows everyone else’s business. I do a bit of everything to make ends meet. It might be sewing, or helping with the local crops, or whatever else is needed that week. I don't have a computer or a website. If someone needs me, they just walk up to the door and knock. The house isn't very big, and we use the main room for everything. It gets crowded when there’s a lot of work to do. Gandeed is a bit far from the main towns, so we have to be self-reliant out here. Sometimes the electricity goes out for hours and we just have to wait it out. It makes the work go slower, but there isn't much we can do about it. I try to be fair with everyone I deal with. I don't like arguing over money, but everything is getting more expensive these days. It’s just me and the family trying to get by. We don't have big dreams of expansion; we just want to do good work today. I have a small garden where I grow some vegetables when I'm not busy with the work. It’s hard to balance everything sometimes. The road to Shekpally Tanda is bumpy and takes a toll on the old bike.