Gupta Rice Mills

Way out in Village Ucha, near Fattudhinga, is where Gupta Rice Mills is located. It’s a bit of a drive to get out here, but it’s quiet and good for getting the work done. We’ve got a decent-sized setup for processing the rice that comes from the local growers in this part of the country. The village is small, so we are one of the main places where people gather during the harvest months. We don't have a fancy lobby or a secretary to answer the phones. Usually, if the phone rings, someone just wipes their hands on their pants and picks it up. Gupta Rice Mills is run by people who actually understand the grain. We spend a lot of time walking around the sheds and making sure the stacks are stable and dry. The air in Village Ucha is usually pretty clear, except when we’re milling, and then there’s a bit of a haze around the yard. We don't use any complicated computer systems. We just keep track of things in a notebook and make sure the machines are oiled and ready. It’s a practical life. We drink a lot of water when it’s hot and keep moving through the day. Sometimes the rain makes the yard a bit muddy, which makes moving the trucks a real challenge for everyone. We just deal with it as it comes. We aren't trying to impress anyone with big offices. We just do the work and go home to our families at the end of the shift. That's life.