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Slice of Life: ‘My life has been difficult but I am getting used to it’
Every person has a story to share. This column puts the spotlight on the people of Chennai, faces we see but rarely interact with — giving a glimpse into their struggle.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
I am from Chennai and my family business is ironing clothes. I took up the business after my father and it has been 26 years since then. However, one incident changed my life altogether. A few years ago, I met with an accident and fractured my leg. Doctors advised me not to take up any job that would involve standing for a long time. I felt as though my life stopped. I am an illiterate and I do not know anything other than ironing clothes.
We are a joint family with 10 members. My brothers are working elsewhere and are not interested to take up my business. I had to face pressure from all sides. I had to pay school and college fees of my sons and hence I pledged my wife’s jewellery in a pawn shop last year. But the man cheated us and fled with Rs 1.40 lakh worth jewellery.
I sometimes question Allah on why he makes my family face so many obstacles. I also need to take care of my father and my house. So I recently joined in a spectacles shop at T Nagar as a helper. I work there for seven days a week. I can take two days off in a month and I am paid Rs 12,000. My wife looks after our ironing shop during the weekdays.
On Sundays, I spend three hours at the shop helping her before returning to my duty. Life has been difficult but I am getting used to it.
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