Slice of Life: ‘Only schoolkids are interested in ornamental fish now’
Every person has a story to share. This column puts the spotlight on the people of Chennai, faces we see but rarely interact with — giving a glimpse into their struggle.
By : migrator
Update: 2019-08-17 22:12 GMT
Chennai
I was born and brought up in Chennai. My day starts at seven in the morning. I have studied till Class 10 and has worked at Indian Tobacco Company (ITC) in the quality wing. There was some issue in the company, so I quit. Thereafter, in 1985, I started an aquarium shop. I have two sons and a daughter. They are all married. They don’t want me to sit at the shop the whole day. But for me, this is the only place that keeps myself relaxed. I don’t want to do the usual things what senior citizens do -- like sitting at home and waste time by watching television the whole day.
Instead, I can do something to keep myself active and fend for my wife and myself. The business is a bit dull nowadays. Not many are keen on maintaining an aquarium at home. Only school children, while crossing the shop, are interested in the colourful fish. Earlier, my income was Rs 5,000 per day but now it has dwindled to just Rs 1,000 per day or even less sometimes. I spend most of the day at the shop. Sometimes my friends visit to spend time with me. What I learnt in my life is to not depend on anyone. Though children are meant to take care of parents, it is better to be independent and save some money for ourselves.
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