Archana Jaiswal

My name is Archana Jaiswal and I stay and work in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. My place is right in the 231001 zip code area. It’s a typical town in U.P. where life doesn’t move as fast as it does in the big cities. I have a small office space that I’ve set up in my home. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, just a room with a desk and some shelves for my books. I spend most of my day here, especially when the sun is too strong to be outside. I don't have a bunch of employees or a big management structure. It’s just me and occasionally someone to help with the cleaning or moving things around. We keep everything very low-key. Most people in the neighborhood know me by name, so I don’t really need a big banner outside my door. I grew up in this part of Mirzapur, so these streets feel very familiar to me. The work I do is simple and keeps me occupied throughout the week. I have a small radio that I keep on a low volume to hear the news or some music. The tea seller comes by twice a day, and that’s usually when I take my breaks. I don't use much technology besides the basics. It’s just a straightforward, practical way of living and working that feels right for this town. I usually wrap up my work by six in the evening.