Slice Of Life: ‘I want my kids to be responsible citizens’

My grandparents lived in Karaikudi but they had shifted to Chennai more than 50 years ago. I was working part-time at a small departmental store since I was 16-years-old. I went to school till Class 10 and then started working full-time at the departmental store. I am married now and have two children. Around 10 years ago, I started supplying water can to the residents in Mukambigai Nagar in West Tambaram. I started my own service after many households started developing in the locality and the demand for water cans increased. I like my work a lot as I provide them with the utmost need of life, but people should realise the importance of water and take efforts to save it. I earn about Rs 2,000 every day. My children -- a girl and a boy -- go to a school in the neighbourhood. I want them to study well and become responsible citizens. 

My son wants to be a computer engineer, while my daughter wants to be a teacher. My children are very good at sports also. I have seen the city developing over the years, from how there used to be forests and now there are only skyscrapers in sight. I have seen flood and cyclone like scenes around five times in my life in the city. However, the city has fought back to its originality despite all the tragedies and this is what I like the most about this city.