Guava Seller
I wonder what will be so interesting about my life that anyone would want to read... My life has been mundane, with me selling guavas for the last 35 years in the same place.
I am 50 years old and was born in Andhra Pradesh. We were very poor. My father was a farmer and we struggled to make ends meet.
When I was 15, I came to Bangalore to make a better living. And a friend of mine was selling guavas and I just followed him.
I have studied only up to class five. My day starts at 5 a.m. when I travel to a far off garden and choose my fruits. Then I load my bicycle and come straight to Infantry Road and sell the fruits here in front of the Income Tax office from 12.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
After this I shift my location to Indian Express circle till late in the evening. Then I cycle back home, which is on Tannery road. By the time I reach home it is 9 p.m.
The next day the same routine starts. I have four children — three boys and a girl. They have finished their basic education. I don’t think I can educate them further. I have no finances. My dream is for them to work as a mechanic or anything else but do not wish for them to sell fruits like me.
This is a very tough life. You have to walk and stand and sell whether there is sun, wind or rain. And you always have a problem with the police when you are selling on the roadside. And the other problem is getting long lectures from my wife everyday about my profession.
It is not her fault either, life is tough. Yet, I am thankful for all the good that has happened in my life. Have no complaints or regrets.
