Sri Shaikh Khadar Shaik Ali

Life here at B/20 Dharavi in the Ambedkar Chawl is always moving. There is never a truly quiet moment around this part of town. Our place is small, just like most of the others you see in the chawl. It is basically one room where we handle everything that needs doing. Sri Shaikh Khadar Shaik Ali is the name we use for our work here. We have some tools and a few heavy boxes stacked up in the corners to save space. The ceiling is a little bit low, so it feels tight sometimes. You really get used to the sounds of the street after a few days. There are workshops all around us. You can hear the metal clanking and people shouting across the lanes. We drink a lot of tea to stay focused. There is a small stall just a short walk away that makes it very strong. The lanes in the chawl are quite narrow and crowded. You have to walk sideways sometimes when the neighbors are passing by. We have lived and worked in this spot for a very long time now. It’s a real community here. Everyone knows everyone else’s business. During the monsoon season, the air gets very damp. We have to put thick plastic sheets over the roof to keep the water out. It is hard work being in this environment but we are very used to it. We don't have a big fancy office. Just this room. (250 words)