Slice Of Life: ‘My only ambition is to own a house one day’

In 1971, I moved to Chennai after my father decided to leave our native in Madurai to settle here. My father was also an ironing man in Madurai. But, upon coming to this city, he took up a job as a coolie. However, he still wanted me to take up ironing because it is my family’s traditional occupation of our family. He also made arrangements to set up a roadside shop. 

When I started this shop, the cost of ironing was 65 paise and now it has become to Rs five. I earn at least Rs 500 per day after spending on charcoal. My younger brother has another shop close to mine. He earns Rs 300 to Rs 500 per day. Occasionally, I would share my workload with him. I have twelve siblings and all of us live in rented houses. 

My only ambition is to have own a house. I have no intention of going back to Madurai since my children grew up here in Chennai. I am looking forward to my son, who is attending college now. I hope he will get a good job so that I could marry my second daughter. She is working as a nurse in the city. My wife is diabetes patient and has high blood pressure. All I want from my son is to take care of his mother after me.