Site Engineer

I’m working as a site engineer out here in Kundera, which is in the Sawai Madhopur area of Rajasthan. It’s a different kind of life here. The landscape is beautiful but the work is tough because of the weather. When it’s hot, it’s really hot. I don't have a proper office address with a door number and all that. Everyone in Kundera knows where I am. I spend my time out on the sites, checking on how the stone and cement are being used. We use a lot of local materials here. My job is to make sure the builders are following the plans. I don't have a polished way of speaking. I just tell it like it is. If a wall is crooked, it needs to be fixed. I spend a lot of time on my bike going from one spot to another. Sometimes I’m out near the national park area, other times I’m closer to the town. It is mostly me working alone or with a couple of helpers. I don't think making things sound more complicated than they are helps anyone. Building a structure is about patience and getting the basics right. I keep my notes in a simple pocketbook. It’s a quiet life, but I like being involved in the physical work of building things in my home state. Rajasthan is a tough place to work but we manage to get things done.