Surya Shibir

Out on Pune Satara Road, specifically at Plot No 11 in the Kaka Halwai Industrial Estate, is where you’ll find Surya Shibir. Being in an industrial estate means things are a bit different than being in a residential area. There’s always the sound of machinery or trucks moving around nearby, which gives the whole area a busy, working-class feel. Our building is a solid, practical structure that fits right in with the neighbors. Inside, we focus on the work at hand without worrying much about how things look to outsiders. It’s mostly about getting things done and keeping the equipment running right. We spend a lot of our time on the floor, making sure everything is moving along as it should. It can get pretty warm in the summer months, but we’ve got fans going to keep the air moving. We aren't really the type for big meetings or long emails; usually, we just shout over the noise if we need to tell someone something. Most of our days are long, starting before the sun is fully up and finishing when the shadows get long across the yard. We have a small area where we take our breaks and have some tea, which is usually the quietest part of the day. It’s a lot of physical effort, but there’s a certain satisfaction in seeing the day's work finished before we lock up the gates. It’s just a plain, hardworking spot in a busy part of Pune.