I am… M. Jayachandran: Fruit vendor, Cox Town

April 13, 2014 05:59 pm | Updated May 21, 2016 11:06 am IST - bangalore

Be the change you want to see. Photo: Allan Moses Rodricks

Be the change you want to see. Photo: Allan Moses Rodricks

I love fruits. That is one of the reasons I took up the trade in the first place. I have been doing this business for almost 25 years now. I am 45 and I took up the trade at a very young age to support my family and stand on my own feet. I started off by selling lemons and within a few years took up selling fruits. Since then this has been my profession. I don’t think I will ever stop or change since it’s a good trade to practice. Though I have only one push car business is good. I struggle a lot but the hard work has its rewards. In a month, I make enough to put food on my table and take care of the family. Even if there is a loss, we are able to manage and make ends meet. We have sufficient to meet our needs.

My wife is a housewife and my three children are studying. I don’t intend to expand or further my business in any way. In another 10 to 15 years I will be done. This trade will end with me in the family. My son wants to study and do something better. I respect that. It’s fine with me. I want a better future for them.

Bangalore has changed a lot. We came here in 1955 and I started my business around 1985. From then to now, the city has transformed in leaps and bounds. It’s an incredible change. I am happy in a way to see the city grow around me and be part of it. On the other hand, the traffic and pollution has made life a little hard. Even business has changed and the economy has grown. But nevertheless, I’m glad that I have remained the same and not changed much over the years. People in this area know me well since I have always been around.

I buy all my fruits from the market. I don’t depend on anyone. It is a little hard. But even in the struggle, I manage to do my best. Being happy is everything and I try to keep everyone happy around me - that way even I am happy.

I have a lot of dreams and aspirations. But I can’t realise them without support. I have the willpower and talent but I can’t do much without help. I want to keep trying though. One day I want to build my own house and help give a brighter future to my family.

(I am is a weekly column about men and women who make Bangalore what it is)

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