Slice Of Life: ‘I faced my struggles with confidence’

I came to the city in 1980 in search of a livelihood. Subsequently, I started a small business of pressing clothes on a pushcart in Anna Nagar. At that time, the area was less developed and only a few houses were there in the surroundings. Earlier, I was collecting clothes from their houses, but this has changed now. Residents now visit my shop to give clothes for pressing. After two years of establishing a proper shop, my family came down to the city from our native town in Dharmapuri. I have three sons, who are all working as software engineers in the city. 

They are all grown up and well settled in life. I never wanted to depend on them. I wanted to work till I am hale and healthy. I faced all my struggles in life with confidence and treated fellow people with love. The only crisis that sapped my energy was when I was unable to pay my son’s college fees. Then, I sought help from several people. A gentleman gave me a loan. I studied till Class 6 only. Now I realise the importance of education. It is the most important thing in life.