Kantappa Saidappa Chili Merchant

Down here behind Moti Bazar in Gandhigunj, the air is almost always a bit spicy. We have been running this chili merchant business for a long time. Our space is filled with big jute sacks piled up high. Most of the day is spent weighing things out and talking to farmers or other traders who come through. It is not a quiet job because there is always someone shouting or a truck backing up in the narrow lanes. Sometimes the dust from the dried peppers makes everyone sneeze, but we are used to it by now. The floor is usually covered in little bits of red stems and seeds. We start early in the morning before the sun gets too hot. Dealing with chilies is a messy business, and our hands often feel a bit of a sting at the end of the shift. We do not use any big computer systems here, just our old scales and some ledgers to keep track of who owes what. Gandhigunj is a crowded place, and finding our spot behind the main bazar can be tricky if you are new. We just focus on getting the right sacks to the right people. It is hard work and the smell stays on your clothes even after you go home. But it is what we know how to do. We just keep the shop open and handle the daily rush as it comes.