Sharad Nandlal Mandhanya

If you ever come down to the Market Yard, you’ll know it’s a chaotic place, especially in the early mornings. Our spot is at Plot No. 100, on the 3rd Lane, and it’s right in the thick of it. Sharad Nandlal Mandhanya is what’s written on the sign, but mostly we are just known as the guys on this corner. We deal with whatever goods are coming through the market that day. There’s a lot of shouting, laborers carrying bags on their backs, and the sound of bells from the carts. We spend our time writing out bills, checking the quality of the arrivals, and making sure the storage stays dry. It’s not a quiet life by any means. Sometimes the rain makes the lanes muddy and slow, which makes everyone a bit grumpy, but the work has to get done regardless of the weather. We’ve been sitting in this same lane for a long time now. You see the same faces every day, from the tea sellers to the other traders next door. We don't have any big corporate goals; we just want to make sure the trading goes smoothly and our accounts are right at the end of the month. It's about being here every day, opening up the shutters, and seeing what the market brings. It's a lot of paperwork and a lot of patience, but it’s what we know how to do in this busy, loud corner of the market.