Sivasakthi Flour Mill

Being on the Main Road here in Ammanpuram means there is always noise from the traffic. At Sivasakthi Flour Mill, we add to that noise with our machines running most of the day. It’s a dusty job, and by the time evening comes, everything is covered in a thin layer of white powder. We spend our time taking in grain and turning it into flour for the people around Tiruchanthur. Some days are busier than others, especially before festivals when everyone wants their grinding done at the same time. The heat from the motors can get pretty intense, so we take breaks when we can. It’s a straightforward business. People bring their bags, we weigh them, and then the machines do the work. I’ve been doing this for a long time and my hands are used to the feel of the different grains. Sometimes a machine breaks down and we have to spend hours fixing it with grease and old tools. It isn’t glamorous work at all, but it’s what we do. The shop is small and filled with sacks of wheat and rice waiting their turn. We don't spend much on decorations because they just get dirty anyway. We just keep the rollers going and try to keep up with the bags piled by the door. It feels good to see a job finished and the bags going back home. We close up when the light fades and do it all again tomorrow.