National Engineering Co

Down here in Meena Bazar near Jama Masjid, things feel like they haven't changed in decades. Our shop, National Engineering Co, is at number 271. It is a small space packed with metal parts, tools, and things I sometimes forget we even have. The walls are lined with wooden drawers that have been there since my father's time. We deal with various engineering bits, mostly small hardware and mechanical components that people need for repairs. Being so close to the Masjid, the atmosphere is always lively. You hear the prayers and the crowds every single day. The tea guy comes around every hour, and that’s usually when we take a break. It is dusty work, handling all those iron and steel pieces. My hands are usually covered in some kind of grease by noon. We don’t have a website or anything like that; people just know where we are. If you need a specific bolt or a valve, you just come and ask. If we don’t have it, I can usually tell you who in the bazaar might. It is a tight-knit community of sellers here. Space is tight, so we have to be organized, though it might look like a mess to an outsider. The light in the shop isn't great, but we use a small torch when we need to find something in the back. Sometimes the humidity makes everything feel heavy, but we just keep the fan going and stay busy with the work day after day.