S. B. Modern Rice Mill

S. B. Modern Rice Mill is right here in Kolakkudi. Everyone in the village knows where we are. We process a lot of rice, and it's a staple around here, so we stay pretty active. The mill has been part of the landscape for as long as I can remember. We have these big machines that sort everything out. They aren't the newest models, but we keep them running well with a bit of grease and patience. The smell of fresh rice is everywhere, which is something you get used to after a day or two. My uncle used to run things, and now we just keep the tradition going. We don't have a website or any of that stuff. If people need us, they just drive down to the mill. Sometimes the weather makes the drying process a headache, especially during the rains. We just do the best we can with what we've got. It’s a small team of us, mostly family and a few neighbors. We have a wooden bench out front where the farmers sit and talk while they wait. The wood is worn down from years of people sitting there. We listen to the radio a lot, mostly just local news and some music to pass the time. It gets a bit dusty when the wind picks up, so we’re always sweeping the floors. There’s a stray dog that sleeps under the loading dock most afternoons. It’s a simple routine, and we don’t see much reason to change it.