Vandana Anil Zode

I spend most of my day at A-5 in Chinchwad, specifically in the Krishna Gokul Society Commercial Complex. It’s a busy spot because we are so close to the police station. You can always hear sirens or see people moving around the station across the way. The complex itself has a lot of stairs and small corridors. Our space isn't very big, but we’ve made it work over the years. We have some shelves lined up against the back wall and a desk that’s a bit wobbly if you lean on it too hard. The floor is tiled and stays relatively cool even when it is hot outside. Neighbors from the other shops often pop their heads in to say hello or ask for the time. There is a small snack shop on the ground floor that smells like fried food in the afternoons. It makes everyone hungry around four o'clock. We don't have a big sign or anything flashy. Most people just know we are here because they’ve seen us around for a long time. It’s a simple way of living and working. Sometimes the electricity goes out for a few minutes and we all just sit out in the hallway until it comes back on. It is just the way things go in this part of town. We keep our files in order and try to keep the dust off the counter.