Samar Marble Palace

Our place is right on NH-8 in Sukher, directly across from the Eklingnath petrol pump. It’s a handy landmark because everyone knows where to get fuel. Working here means hearing engines and horns all day long. We spend most of our time out in the yard among the marble blocks and slabs. There isn't much of a lobby or anything; you just walk in and see the stone. Some of the pieces have been sitting here for a bit, while others go out the same day they arrive. We try to keep things tidy, but with the amount of stone moving through, there’s always a bit of grit on the floor. It’s a family-style setup where we all just pitch in. One of us might be talking to a visitor while the other is trying to figure out where the crane should go next. We don't use big words or try to act like we’re something we aren't. We just know which slabs have cracks and which ones are solid. The sun beats down on the white stone, and by the end of the day, we’re all pretty tired. Sometimes the tea guy comes by and we take a break by the road. It’s hard work, but there is something nice about seeing a finished piece of stone that came out of a rough block. It’s just how we make our living, year after year, in this same spot across from the pump.