Rakesh S. Jariwala

You can find me, Rakesh S. Jariwala, over at 888 in the Old G.I.D.C. area of Katargam. Surat is a big city, but this part of Katargam feels like its own world. I’ve been working out of this unit for many years now. It’s an old building, but it’s sturdy. We focus on jari work, which is what we know best. The machines hum all day long. It’s a bit noisy, and the light isn't always the best, but we get the work done. The Old G.I.D.C. is full of small shops like mine. We all know each other. Sometimes we go out for snacks together in the evening. I don't have a big office or a team of managers. It’s just me and a couple of helpers. We handle the orders as they come in. Some days it’s a lot of pressure to finish on time, but we manage. My hands are usually stained or dusty by the end of the shift. That’s just the nature of the work. We don’t have a website or anything like that. People just know where to find us at number 888. We've survived the changes in the industry by just sticking to what we do. It’s honest work. I hope to keep it going for as long as I can. The area is always busy with tempos and bikes. It's home to me, and I like being part of the Katargam industrial community.