Slice Of Life: ‘I came to Chennai as a refugee 20 years ago’

Though I am a Sri Lankan national, I have lived almost all my life in Chennai. I came here as a refugee with my parents. We lost our house and relatives in Sri Lanka. We came to Chennai around 20 years ago. I remember being admitted to kindergarten here. Now I am working in a sports shop to support my family. I did my graduation in media studies but I have always been interested in sports. That is why I took up this job. I used to love dancing. I have participated in many intercollege dance competitions and have won prices too. But I could not earn a living in that path of career. So I chose an alternative. My father, mother and elder brother stay together but we are still refugees. Despite our requests, we have not received identity cards. Even after 20 years in India, I live as a refugee and our family doesn’t have citizenship here. It’s not just me, more than two lakh families feel the same and cannot have various privileges. I love this city but I am sad to be denied citizenship.