Slice of Life: ‘My family is happy and that is important’

I was born in Salem. But within a few months after my birth, my father passed away. After his death, my family came to Tambaram, where my uncle took me under his guidance. I managed to study till Class 10 but could not continue my schooling after that due to personal reasons. 

Meanwhile, as my uncle fell sick and could not look after his butcher shop anymore, my brother and I started to manage the shop. After I got married, I began to manage this shop on my own, while my brother started a shop of his own at Gandhi Road in Tambaram. 

I have two children, Aliya and Mohamed Aslam, both of whom are school students. It has been more than 50 years since this shop has been functioning in Tambaram. 

Hence I get many regular customers. My shop is open all seven days of the week, and is closed only during holidays declared by the government. I have two staff members working for me. 

I don’t force them to work, they are free to take leave as is required for needs. I buy goats from the Sanatorium market every day. They are tied in a shed in front of the customers so that no doubts would be raised regarding the meat. My family and I are happy with our lives. I would like that to remain the same till the end and that is most important to me.