Anil Chappal Udyog

Down in Patna City, specifically around Mogalpura, life moves at its own pace. Anil Chappal Udyog is tucked away in Jalwa Toli at C/121. It’s a narrow area, and if you aren’t familiar with the lanes, you might get turned around once or twice. We spend our days making chappals, which is what we know how to do. The sound of the cutting machines and the smell of the materials is something we’ve lived with for years. It’s a family-style environment here, even if it’s a business. We aren't trying to be some huge international brand; we just make footwear for people who need something reliable. The workshop is usually a bit messy with scraps on the floor, but we know where everything is. People in the neighborhood know us, and we know them. Sometimes we sit outside for a tea break and watch the rickshaws go by. It’s a crowded part of Patna, very traditional. There’s always someone stopping by to chat or check on an order. We don't use fancy computers for everything; a lot of it is still done by hand and written down in ledgers. It feels right that way. We just keep making our shoes and staying busy in our little corner of the city, hoping the rain doesn't flood the street too much this year. It's simple work but it's ours, and that is what counts at the end of the day for the whole team.