Slice Of Life: ‘I could not study after Class 10 as I had to take care of my family’

I have been selling chaat items in Periamet area for more than nine months after taking over from my father. There are six members in my family, and we start preparing masala items and uncooked samosas from 8 am every day. It takes several hours to complete the process. I bring prepared items to Periamet from Pattalam, where I reside, around 3.30 pm. Due to my family’s situation, I could not study after Class 10 and started assisting my father. I have three elder sisters and I had the responsibility of getting my sisters married. 

During my initial days in Periamet, I had to face some troubles from local goons, but I have no problems now. I will keep changing the location depending on the sales. If I move to a place where there is a mosque nearby, I will get help from local Muslim people. On certain days, I don’t sell as much as I expect. On such days, I end up dumping excess food in the garbage bin. On the other days, I can earn a profit. During those days, when I cannot make a profit, I drive an autorickshaw to meet the expenses. If I have enough money, I will start a bigger business.