Nakarni Atul Kumar

My place is at 39 Varachha Road, right opposite Punitdham Society. If you know Varachha, you know how loud and crowded it gets. There is always someone honking or a bike zooming past the front door. I’ve been at this location for a long time now. Punitdham is a good landmark because everyone knows it. I spend a lot of my time just managing the daily flow of people coming in and out. The shop isn't very big, so things can feel a bit cramped when three or four people are inside at once. I try to keep it tidy, but with the dust from Varachha Road, it’s a constant battle. I don’t have a big philosophy or anything. I just show up, open the door, and work until it’s time to go home to my family. Some days are slow and I just sit and watch the traffic. Other days, I don’t even have time to eat my lunch until late afternoon. I’ve known the guys in the shops next door for years. We look out for each other. If I need to step out for tea, they keep an eye on things. It’s a community feeling despite the noise. I’m Nakarni Atul Kumar, and this is where I spend most of my life. It’s honest work and it keeps me busy, which is all I really want. Most of the folks who visit are locals who live just a few streets over. We talk about the local news and the prices of things going up.