I came to Madurai as a fifth standard school dropout from Kattangulam Village in Tuticorin district in pursuit of greener pastures. I got a job in a shop which sold puffed rice and roasted gram. I worked there for 10 years without salary and in turn asked the owner to help me set up a small sweet stall, which was my dream then.
The kind-hearted owner agreed and my journey started there and it is continuing till date without any big trouble. I was just 22 years when I started this sweet stall. I saw good potential in this business. Moreover public patronage is also more here. During festival times and important family functions people come to me and give bulk orders.
After four years, I shifted my shop from Santhaipettai to the current location on Kamarajar Salai for better visibility. I reaped rich dividends for all my hard work and bought the land where I ran the shop on rent earlier. It is a 330 square feet space and I set up the production unit at the back yard.
I am married and have three sons. Eldest is studying in XII Standard while the other two, who are twins, are in VII Standard. My sons are not interested in this business and I want them to get employed in government service. My dream now is to develop the business and build a chain of sweet stalls with all facilities.
I own a house and earn around Rs.1000 a day and I am quite happy with that.
(A fortnightly column on men and women who make Madurai what it is)
