Jai Shakti Rice Mill

Jai Shakti Rice Mill is located right in the V.P.O. area of Shahpur. Being in the village means we know almost everyone who brings their crop to us. It feels less like a big business and more like a part of the neighborhood. The mill building is quite old, with thick walls that keep it from getting too hot in the afternoon sun. We have a big open area in the front where the carts can turn around easily. Sometimes the mud is a problem after a big storm, but we just throw some gravel down and keep going. We don't really have a set closing time during the peak months; we just work until the last load is finished. The sound of the rice falling into the sacks is a constant rhythm all day long. My brother usually handles the machinery while I look after the weighing and the bags. We have an old radio that mostly plays local news and some music to keep us going. The light inside is a bit dim, but we know where everything is by touch after all these years. If someone needs help loading their trailer, we all jump in to get it done faster. It is just how things work in Shahpur. We don’t bother with much else besides the rice.