V'PURAM GARAGE WITH AN ENDLESS VROOM

A LONG the quiet, dimly lit stretch of the VillupuramGingee highway, where the hum of engines often fades into the night, you can't miss K Krishnamurthy's garage in Anandapuram.

- KRITHIKA SRINIVASAN

The workshop has refused to down its shutters for the past 24 years. It does not matter if it's a Sunday, public holiday or a festive day.

Since the tender age of 16, Krishnamurthy has been immersed in the world of engines and gears, honing his craft with every turn of the wrench and every oil change. After years of toil, he seized an opportunity in February of 2000, and opened his very own garage. Little did he know then that its doors would remain perpetually ajar, a symbol of his unyielding commitment to those traversing the lonely expanses of the highway. "To me, it is not just a job; it is a duty. People depend on their bikes, especially on days of leisure or celebration when the roads are bustling with motorists. It is during these times that a breakdown can turn into a nightmare. I refuse to let that happen," says Krishnamurthy, his eyes reflecting the years of experience etched onto his weathered profile.