Forced to quit studies, medico sells idlis in city

While idli, dosa stalls on the roadside are a common sight in Chennai, this mother-daughter duo selling these food items in Pazhavanthagal may seem a little out of the ordinary.

The girl, 21-year-old Kripa P, was an aspiring medico studying in Philippines. But an unfortunate business deal resulted in losses, forcing her father to go bankrupt and she had to quit her studies midway and come join her family in Chennai.

Kripa’s parents wanted to support her dream of becoming a doctor after she scored 980 out of 1,200 in 2015 and sent her to Philippines for higher studies. Her father Palaniswami was running a grocery shop in Vennandur in Namakkal. However, after the business ran into trouble, the family shifted back to Chennai two years ago and started living in Bakthavalsalam Nagar, Pazhavanthagal. Kripa’s father took up selling tea on a bicycle, her mother set up a small roadside tiffin shop on a cart to earn their living. Apart from Kripa, the couple has two other daughters Kausalya, (19), Gowri (16). While Kausalya is working in a private firm, Gowri is a Class 11 student.

In this scenario, Kripa had to discontinue studies after spending more than Rs 3 lakh for the first year and she started helping her parents in their food business. “I still want to continue with the studies. But we don’t have enough money,” Kripa added.