Prem Book Binder

Our little shop, Prem Book Binder, is tucked away in Mauar Lane, which is part of Ganesh Colony in Sultanganj. It’s a quiet area compared to the main roads, and the lane is quite narrow, so you have to be careful if you are driving a car down here. We have been binding books in this spot for a long time, and the place definitely shows its age. There is a very specific smell here—a mix of old paper, leather, and the heavy glue we use. It’s a scent we actually quite like. The walls are lined with stacks of books waiting to be repaired or finished, some of them looking like they haven't been touched in years. We do almost everything by hand on old wooden tables that have been worn smooth over the decades. It is slow work and it can be hard on the fingers, but it’s what we know how to do. The light in the lane isn't great, so we rely on a few hanging bulbs to see what we are doing. We don't have a computer or any modern gadgets; we just use the same tools we’ve always had. Sometimes neighbors stop by just to chat for a bit while we work. It’s a simple life and a simple business. We don't have any big plans to change things or move to a bigger space. This little corner in Sultanganj suits us just fine, and we just take each book as it comes.