“Almost 57 years ago, when I was just a teenager, I had shifted to Vijayawada from my hometown Srikakulam to earn a living. I come from a poor agricultural family and even having one meal a day was a struggle. Out of our 6 siblings, two passed away due to health issues. Increasing debts drove me to take up daily wage work to support my family. We even had to sell our three acres of agricultural land for a bare minimum price of Rs.6,000.

I’ve been in this line of work for over 50 years now. I leave my house at 4 a.m. At the godown, I strap a load of around 80 – 100 kg on the pillion and start my rounds to bring it to the dealers. I cycle all day and take home about Rs. 200 – 300 a day. My wife suffered from a leg injury recently and I spent all my savings for her treatment. Now, I’m back to work and making up for the money spent.

I always regret never having gone to school. It has certainly made sustaining a life in today’s world more difficult but unfortunately, we don’t have a choice. We just have to accept the life that has been given to us.”

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