Om Prakash Kachhwah

Being located on Surajpole Somnath Mandir Road means there is always a lot of movement right outside our door. At number 40, we have settled into a rhythm that works for us, even if the street is often loud and dusty. You can hear the temple bells ringing in the distance during the morning prayers, which is a nice way to start the day. The shopfront isn't anything special to look at, just a regular place where we do our daily business. I usually open up early before the sun gets too hot and the scooters start clogging up the road. There is a lot of dust that comes in from all the traffic, so we spend a fair amount of time just wiping down the counters. Our neighbors are good people who have been around for a long time, and we often share a quick glass of tea while standing on the sidewalk. Inside, the walls are painted a pale color that has faded over the years. We have some old wooden shelves that hold everything we need to function. Sometimes a light bulb burns out and we forget to change it for a few days, but that is just how it goes here. People know where to find us even without a big, shiny sign. It is a simple, honest space where we work hard and try to stay cool in the midday heat. It’s not a polished corporate office, just a local spot with the doors usually left open.