Slice Of Life: ‘After husband’s death, I cook, sell toys to feed my family’

I have been selling toys and lights at Besant Nagar beach for more than five years now. I was born and brought up in the city. I was forced to earn my living after my husband died five years ago. I have to take care of my mother and son as I am the sole breadwinner in the family. 

My son studied till Class 9 but had to drop out after that as I did not have the money to support him. He then learned to drive a car and got a licence. Right now, he is looking for a job as a driver as most other jobs require higher qualification. 

I come to the beach in the evening to sell toys after cooking food at four households in the morning. Apart from the monthly salary that I get for cooking, I make about Rs 200- Rs 300 extra every day by selling toys. But, there are days when I do not get a single customer and have to go home empty-handed. I buy these toys from wholesale shops in Parrys and sell them at the beach for a 10 per cent margin. 

There is nobody to help me with this and sometimes it becomes difficult for me to pay the wholesalers when savings are low. I, however, have learned to survive with what I make and I am sure my son will soon find a job and reduce our troubles.