Lov and Kush Roy are twins born 10 minutes apart in Siliguri of India’s West Bengal state. The brothers left their ancestral home when they were young and came to Kathmandu in search of work. That was nearly two decades ago.

After coming to Kathmandu, they took up various odd jobs to survive. For years, Lov and Kush worked as car mechanics, jewelry shop assistants and construction laborers, until they had saved enough money to open their own motorcycle workshop.

Lov-Kush Motorcycle Workshop at Sinamangal has been in business for nine years now. The shop also employs three workers. The twins, 27, say they are self-taught mechanics and they are passing on the skills to youngsters. The workshop opens at 7 am and closes at 10 pm. The Roy brothers also offer a 24-hour motorcycle mechanic service. The work is hard, but it’s also fulfilling, say the two brothers.

I captured some glimpses from their hardscrabble lives this week. The photos show the twins at their workplace and their home.