Alka Auto Associates

Alka Auto Associates is right by Prakash Chowk. If you look for the State Bank of Patiala, we are just a short walk from there. It’s a good location because there are always cars and bikes passing through. The shop is full of parts and tools scattered around. It’s not the cleanest place in the world, but we know exactly where every wrench and bolt is kept. We spend most of the day with our hands covered in oil. It’s just the nature of the business. We don’t have a fancy waiting room with a television. Usually, customers just stand around and chat with us while we work on their stuff. We’ve got a couple of wooden benches outside if the sun isn’t too hot. My brother and I started this after working for other people for years. We wanted a place of our own where we could do things our way. We don't use any fancy diagnostic computers if we can help it; we usually just listen to the engine to find the problem. It’s a loud place because of the traffic and the tools, but we are used to it by now. We close up around eight most nights, sometimes later if a friend brings in a bike that needs fixing for the next morning. It’s a busy life, but it keeps us moving. We don't bother with much talk, we just get to the repair and finish it up.