Abhishek Times

Being on Lalbazar Street in Calcutta is an experience every single day. Our place is at number 2, right near the GPO, so there is always a lot of noise and movement outside. You can hear the trams and the honking of the yellow taxis from morning until night. The shop itself feels a bit old-fashioned but that is just how things are in this part of the city. We have been sitting behind these counters for a long time now. The walls could probably use a new coat of paint but we never seem to get around to it because there is always something else to do. Dust settles on everything no matter how much you wipe it down, that is just Calcutta for you. People come in with watches that have stopped ticking or they want a new strap because the old one got sweaty in the humidity. We see a lot of government workers and lawyers because of the location. It is a practical kind of business. We don’t have fancy neon signs or anything. Just the name on the board and the watches in the case. Sometimes the rain gets so heavy that water starts coming under the door and we have to scramble with some old rags. It is just part of the daily routine here on Lalbazar Street.