Natraj Dairy

Being at Guljar Chowk near the Old Bus Stand means we see everyone starting their day. The milk arrives very early, usually while it is still dark outside, and we have to get everything ready before the first customers show up for their morning tea supplies. It is a small place, mostly filled with crates and the cold fridge. The floor stays a bit damp because we are always cleaning up spills or moving ice around. People in the neighborhood know us by name, and we know who wants the thick curd and who just needs a small packet of milk for their coffee. Sometimes the traffic outside gets so loud we have to shout over the counter. We don't have fancy displays or anything like that. The shelves just hold what people need every day. In the afternoons, things quiet down a bit and we can sit on the small stools for a break. Then the evening rush starts again when folks are heading home from work and need something for dinner. It’s a lot of lifting and carrying heavy bags. The building is old, and the paint is peeling in some corners, but it stays cool inside. We keep the door open most of the time to let the air move. It is just a regular dairy shop where we do our work and go home when the sun finally sets.