“It’s summer season, so I carry fruits every day and sell them here near the Secunderabad market Road. Some customers bargain, some just ask the price and walk away, and some children stop just to look at the fruits. Whenever I can, I give a fruit or two for free to kids. Their joy makes me happy. I believe when we share with a smile, God sends blessings back in some form.

We are a farming family, and we still depend on agriculture and fishing during the seasons. But a few years ago, flash floods destroyed most of our crops and left us with heavy losses. Since then, farming alone hasn’t been enough. So every summer, we come to Hyderabad from Machilipatnam to earn a living. Depending on the time of year, I sell mangoes, sugarcane, or ice apples—whatever helps us manage our expenses. Every day, we travel nearly 30 kilometers up and down for this small business.

Life hasn’t been easy. There are loans to clear, household expenses to manage, and our children’s education to support. But we’ve never stopped trying. My only wish is to see my grandchildren settle well in life.

There are struggles every single day, but I choose to face them with a smile. Because no matter how tough things get, a positive attitude and a smile give us strength—and sometimes, even new opportunities.

Even in the end-of-April heat, when it touches 42°C, we show up every day.”