Chennai
P Soundararajan (51), Sugar cane juice vendor
I hail from Kalpakkam, a small town outside Chennai. Originally, my wish was to go for higher studies and join a government job. However, I had to support my family financially and could complete my schooling only until Class eight. After that, I had to give up studies and leave my native place to look for a job. Thus, about three decades ago, I came to this city and joined as a painter in one of the construction companies in Chennai. Later, I switched professions and joined a restaurant, where I mastered cooking. There, I learnt different types of south Indian meals and other delicacies. Finally, now I work as a vendor at a sugar cane juice shop. Although I had a different plan for my life, I ended up doing these small jobs for the want of money. I stay in a rented house in Guindy along with one of my sons, while the rest of the members of my family are in my native. I have two sons and a daughter. I have ensured that all of them are going to college. I do not want my children to give up on their dreams as I had to do. Hence, I want them to finish their studies and pursue the career of their choice. Because I am good at culinary skills and also know how a restaurant functions, I want to open a restaurant one day.
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