SLICE OF LIFE: ‘People read everything online these days’

Chennai

All I have is this tricycle and it has always been around me. I am 52 years old now and age is becoming a huge challenge in my work. Earlier I used to transport gas cylinder to houses on my cycle, carry them on my shoulders and deliver to the house. Now, I am unable to do so. Around a decade ago, I started collecting old newspapers, other waste papers and selling them. Initially, the business was decent. I made enough money for my family. But things have changed over the years.

People buy less newspapers. They read everything online. Kids do not use much of notepads. I hear they do their homework on the computer. I only manage to make Rs 100 a day, just enough to survive. I ask my two girls to read the newspaper everyday. But I think I should start worrying more about buying computers or expensive mobile phones for them now.   - Paneerselvam, Wastepaper Seller

— As told to Vipasha Sinha