Raj Times

People know this corner in Manjalpur well. We have been here for a long time, right by the Adajan Dn area in Vadodara. The shop isn't very large. Inside, the walls are covered with different types of clocks. Some tick loudly and others are silent. Every morning, we open the shutters and sweep the front step. The dust from the road gets in quickly. Most people stop by because their watch stopped working or they need a new strap. We spend a lot of time looking through small magnifying glasses at tiny gears and screws. It can be tedious work. The lighting isn't the brightest, but we manage with a desk lamp. Some customers come in just to ask the time or see if a battery can be replaced while they wait. We have a small bench for them. Outside, the traffic in Vadodara is always moving. You can hear the horns all day. We keep our tools in old metal boxes. Sometimes the tea man from next door brings a cup over. It is just a regular life here. We handle the mechanical stuff and the newer digital watches too. It’s mostly about keeping things running for the neighborhood folks. Nothing fancy is happening inside these walls. Just watches, tools, and some old chairs. We close up when it gets dark and the street lights come on in Manjalpur.