Mohan Rice Mill

The machines are always humming at our place on Plot No. 3082 and 3083. Being in Phase-3 of the Gidc Estate means there is always something going on around us. We have two plots because one just wasn't enough for all the rice we have to move. The noise is constant, a sort of rhythmic thumping that lets us know the mill is working right. If it stops, we know something needs fixing right away. There’s a lot of husks flying around, so we wear scarves over our faces sometimes. It gets hot inside with the motors running. We take turns watching the hoppers to make sure they don't get jammed. It is a long day, starting before the sun is even fully up. We see the same truck drivers every week, so we know their names and how they like their tea. The bags are heavy, and our backs feel it by five o'clock. We try to keep the loading area clear, but it gets crowded fast when the harvest comes in. There’s no air conditioning here, just a few big fans that mostly just move the warm air around. We keep a logbook on a wooden clipboard near the entrance. It’s dirty and the edges are curled, but it’s got everything we need to know. That is how we keep things running smoothly enough for everyone.