Naeem H Shaikh

I’m Naeem H Shaikh, and I work out of 83 Udhnagam. Udhnagam is a place where everyone knows everyone else. It’s not like the big commercial centers in the middle of Surat. It feels more like a neighborhood where people actually talk to each other. My spot at number 83 is quite simple. I don’t have any big signs or flashing lights. People usually know where I am just by asking around or because they’ve been coming here for a long time. I’ve spent most of my life in this area, so I’ve seen it change quite a bit, but the core of it stays the same. My daily routine is pretty basic. I open up, get some tea, and start on whatever is waiting for me. I don’t have a big team helping me out, it’s mostly just me handling the day-to-day. It can be a lot of work sometimes, especially when things get busy all at once, but I prefer it that way. I like being my own boss and running things in a way that makes sense to me. There’s no corporate manual or anything like that. I just treat people like people and try to be fair. It’s a practical way to live. The building is old but it’s sturdy. If you ever find yourself in Udhnagam, you might see me sitting out front during a break. It's a decent place to be if you value a bit of peace and quiet away from the center.