Abhishek Steels

Our shop is at number 289 in Loha Mandi. It’s easy to find because we are right near Om Dharam Kaanta. If you know this part of the city, you know how hectic it gets. The sounds of metal clanging and heavy trucks reversing never really stop. Abhishek Steels has been operating out of this small plot for years. We deal with all kinds of iron and steel parts. It’s mostly just me and a couple of helpers moving things around. The floor is always covered in bits of rust and metal shavings. We don't have air conditioning or a glass front. It's an open-air kind of business. When it rains, we have to scramble to cover everything with tarps so it doesn't get ruined. We spend a lot of time over at the Dharam Kaanta weighing the loads before they head out. It’s a lot of paperwork and back-and-forth. Sometimes the traffic in Loha Mandi is so bad that a truck takes an hour just to move a block. We’ve gotten used to the chaos. Our neighbors are all in the same trade, so we help each other out with tools or extra hands when something heavy needs lifting. It’s hard work on the hands and the back, but it keeps us busy. We don’t try to be anything we aren’t. We just sell steel and try to stay organized in the middle of all the noise.