Slice Of Life: ‘My confidence alone brought me here’

Chennai

I came to Chennai when I was 15 years old. Since then I have been selling fresh fruits in Anna Nagar. I go to Koyambedu market daily at 5 am to purchase produce. After that, I set up my shop on the main road. Sales have picked up recently as the summer has arrived. I make very little money for the rest of the year. As this is the only work I am acquainted with, I do not have any other option. Good or bad, I have to stick to this business. My daughter is studying at a college in the city. She is the only educated person in my family. I send her to college and school in the hopes that, at least, she will have a better life. My biggest regret is that I did not complete my education. If I had studied, I could have secured a job and my life would have been different and better. I could have given better opportunities for my daughter and also take better care of my family. My hard work and confidence helped me sail through difficult times. I crossed many hurdles before reaching here in my life. We have no other alternative but to face the problems.