Slice of Life: ‘I own land but can’t farm on it due to scanty rain’

Chennai

I tried to build a house in my village but accumulated debt. As I could not repay the debt with the meagre income as a truck driver, we moved to the city. Another reason for settling in Chennai is the upbringing of my children. My sons had bad friends in the village. My eldest is a graduate but now works as a plumber as he could not find a suitable job. My youngest son failed Class 10 public examination and he is a car mechanic now. My daughter is good in studies and is now in Class 11. My wife works as a maid in nearby houses. We will return to our village once I repay my debts. I have a piece of agricultural land but could not do farming as rain has been scant for a few years. Every day, I go to Koyambedu wholesale market to procure vegetables and sell in Choolaimedu area using a tricycle. The income is very low and, on some days, I am making much profit.