I must have been 16 years old when I first started developing chest pains and moved to the city from Karunagapally. I have been in and out of hospitals since with some ailment or the other. As my parents were not well off, I started selling grass mats, door to door to make ends meet. That was way back in 1975. I stopped travelling like that when it started taking a toll on my health.
In those days, mats cost between Rs. 2 and Rs. 5, now they are priced between Rs. 100 and Rs. 150. The mats come from Tamil Nadu; I buy them from wholesalers in the city. Grass mats were popular back then but now just a handful of people buy them as everyone seem to prefer sleeping on mattresses. I have now added plastic mats, mosquito nets and towels to my kitty of goods to make ends meet.
There is a favourite spot of mine in Chala where I sell my goods and I am usually there daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. As business is usually dull, I read the newspaper or chat with nearby vendors while waiting for customers. At times, I help shops in the vicinity vend their goods. For instance, today, I am helping a nearby store sell lucky bamboo saplings.
I stay at a rented room in Chala as my wife and children are in Sasthamkotta. My children are now adults. They are employed and are leading their own lives.
Being my own boss is a boon as I can close shop and go visit my family whenever I want to. At home, I am busy with prayers and mosque related activities. I am 57 years old now and although my health is failing me, I have to keep on going as I need to support my wife and me.
(A weekly column on men and women who make Thiruvananthapuram what it is)
