Sri Annapurani Rice Mill

Our mill, Sri Annapurani Rice Mill, is situated at No 5/1 on Arcot Road in Arani. If you know the area, you know Arcot Road is always full of vehicles and people moving around. The mill is a loud place once the machines start running in the morning. There is always a fine layer of rice dust on everything, even if we sweep it twice a day. It is just part of the job when you are working with grain. The smell of raw rice is very strong here and you get used to it after a few minutes. We have big heaps of paddy waiting to be processed and the floor is usually covered in sacks. We don't have a fancy office; it's mostly just a small corner with a table where we keep the records. Arani is a big hub for rice so there are many of us around, but we just focus on what is happening inside our own walls. The roof is made of metal sheets so when it rains, it gets incredibly noisy inside and you have to shout to be heard over the rhythm of the drops. We work long hours, especially after the harvest season when everyone wants their rice processed at the same time. It’s tiring work and our clothes are always messy, but it’s what we do. We like the sound of the mill running because it means everything is working right.