Slice of Life: ‘I would have had a better life if I did not give up my education’

Chennai

I am from Thirunelveli district. When I was 13 and in Class 4, my father died and my mother brought me to Chennai since she could not earn enough to provide for me, my three brothers and two sisters there. After settling in Chennai, I worked at my uncle’s scrap shop in Kodambakkam. My mother started working at a day-care. After working with my uncle for several years, now, I work at a scrap shop in Choolaimedu which is run by a friend. If I had studied further, I would have been in a better position. We go to my hometown during festivals and relatives’ functions. I have two sons, and both are in their early 20s. Even though I put them in private schools, they had lost interest in studies and dropped out after Class 10. When they decided to drop out, I tried to persuade them otherwise but in vain. Now, my elder son works as a mechanic and younger son delivers food. It has been more than 30 years that I have been working as a daily wage labourer in scrap shops. Now, I am trying to start my own shop.