Nikita Apparels

80 Nehru Colony in Kolkata is where we spend most of our time. This part of West Bengal is always buzzing with people and the smell of street food. Nikita Apparels is a small operation compared to the big factories, but we stay busy. The building isn't brand new, and the stairs are a bit narrow, but it’s our home. We have a row of machines and the sound of them running is the backdrop to every day. Sometimes it gets a bit loud when everyone is working at once, but you get used to it. The 700040 area is a mix of houses and small businesses, so it feels very local. We know the people at the corner shop and the rickshaw pullers who wait nearby. During the monsoon, the street outside can get a bit flooded, which makes getting the fabric in and out a bit of a challenge. We just put on our boots and get on with it. There’s no big corporate strategy here; we just take the orders as they come and try to finish them on time. The lighting inside could be better, and the fan in the corner squeaks, but we get the sewing done. It’s a simple life of measuring, cutting, and stitching. We’ve been in Nehru Colony long enough that we don't really think about being anywhere else. It is just about getting the garments right and keeping the machines running.