“Getting married at the age of 15 has taught me to be independent in life. My innocence at that age made me compromise on a few things but I am fortunate enough to get a supportive husband who encouraged me to work even after marriage. He goes to farming work, so during the evening hours, he comes here to help me and I would handle the household work. From raising our children to managing the monthly expenses, we divide everything equally.

Today both of our children have completed their graduation and are looking forward to taking up jobs to settle in their lives. At first, I wondered if they would feel reluctant to introduce me, a fruit vendor, to their friends, but their pride in us is more than our own. Every time their friends come to our house, they proudly say that my mother is a small scale business woman and that everything they are today is because of their parents. What else do I need in life?”