Sushil Kumar Mishra

Living and working in Dumdum has its own rhythm. My place is at 4831, Purba Sinthee Bye Lane. It’s a bit of a maze back here in the lanes of Kolkata. You have to watch out for the rickshaws when you walk down the street. The office is really just a room where I keep all my stuff and do my daily work. It is quiet for the most part, except for the sounds of the neighborhood. I have a wooden desk that has been with me for years. There are stacks of paper everywhere because I prefer writing things down. The walls could probably use a new coat of paint, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. In the afternoons, the smell of cooking from the nearby houses comes through the window. It makes me hungry for lunch. I usually take a break around two o'clock. Kolkata gets very humid, so I usually have a wet towel nearby to wipe my face. I don't have a big team or anything. It's mostly just me handling the day-to-day tasks that come up. People from the lane sometimes stop by just to say hello or ask a quick question. I like being part of the local community here. It’s not a corporate life, but it suits me just fine. I stay here until the streetlights come on and then call it a day.