Slice of life: ‘Agriculture is failing, I must stay in Chennai’

I came to Chennai 25 years ago from my native village near Dindigul. I started working in the wholesale flower market in Koyambedu. I worked there for nearly 15 years and started selling vegetables on my own as the earnings were low. I visit the streets of Choolaimedu on my tricycle and I earn Rs 300 daily by selling vegetables. My wife stays at our rented house and manages the family. I have a daughter, who is married now, and two sons. My elder son is 24 years old now and he quit school after Class 10. Even though he passed the exam, he decided to pursue tailoring against our advice. But now, he realises the value of education and regrets his decision of dropping out of school. However, my younger son is studying in Class 10 and he is keen on continuing. I go to my village during festivals and family functions, but I cannot stay there permanently. 

Agriculture is failing in our village and I must stay in Chennai to run the family. I cannot save the money that I earn as the income is sufficient only to pay rent and other bills. Nowadays, house rents are skyrocketing. To procure vegetables and meet emergency expenses, I still have to take loans from friends. When I feel free after paying all my debts, another expense would come, forcing me to resort to taking loan again.