Alka Jadav

Raopura is always a bit chaotic, and that's where I'm located. The address is in Siddharth Nagar on Gheekanta Road, but the real landmark is the Bhadrakali Mata Pole. If you aren't from around here, finding a specific spot in the poles can be a bit of a challenge. You have to walk past the Shakmrket, which is always crowded with people buying vegetables and shouting prices. It's loud and smells like fresh produce and rain in the monsoon. My place is right in the thick of it. I’ve lived and worked in this area long enough to know all the shortcuts through the narrow lanes. The building is old, like most things in this part of the city, with thick walls and small windows. It stays relatively cool inside even when the sun is beating down on the street outside. I don't have a big sign or anything flashy. Most people who come here are regulars or someone who was told where to go by a neighbor. Every morning, the street comes alive early with the market vendors setting up. By the time I start my work, the whole area is buzzing. It’s not a quiet place to be, but it feels like the heart of the city. I keep a desk near the front where I can see who is coming and going. It’s a modest setup, just enough room for what I need to do. Life moves fast on Gheekanta Road and we just keep up.