Of which caste and religion are you?
I am a Hindu and a Chaurasiya.
Are you married?
Yes, I am married, I have two children – a son and a daughter.
How long have you been living in Delhi?
Nearly 25 years.
Why did you come to Delhi?
I have to consider the future of my children.
But 25 years earlier, you did not have children.
I had no children, but I was married. I came to Delhi. I was married, then I had children, and I have to look after their future as well.
Before you came to Delhi, did you have any friends or family staying here?
My father used to stay here.
What work do you do?
I run a small business here: Betel, bidi, cigarettes.
The money you get by doing this work, is it sufficient?
The education of children, my own expenses. All these are fulfilled from this. I meet my expenses.
Are you able to save something for your family? Are you able to send some money to them? The family that you have in your village?
My mother and father are there. I send some money for their expenses, two to four thousand every two to four months.
Had you done this kind of work earlier? That is before you started this. Did you run a shop or something?
I used to run a shop in the village, I was studying and doing this.
What did you do before this job?
I did not do anything before this. I used to stay in the village. I used to do agricultural work of our own.
Can you tell me something about your work? How much do you sell? What kind of people come?
I cover my own expenses. I mean, from the sale of two to four thousand, I earn 200, 400, 500 rupees on daily basis. That takes care of my expenses.
Now, while you are working here, what do you think? What do you think while you are working? What comes into your mind?
What is special? I have to work hard. The children’s education. If that is fulfilled, it is enough.
What would be a good job, one that you would like to do?
About this or about anything else, I have no knowledge. I have been doing this since my childhood and this is the only thing I know. Now, whatever is to be done, my children will do all that.
How do you like life in Delhi?
It is alright. I have lived here for a long time and now I have become used to it. But the village is the village.