“Ragi Java is an excellent drink to stay hydrated in the peak summers. However, people often dismiss the idea of ragi being an energy drink, especially when sold on a roadside stall like mine. But the same people will buy packaged drinks made of the same products that I use here because they think that’s more believable. This is one of the reasons why it’s difficult to get people to try the Summer Drink that I sell.

People who’ve tried it before, have more than 2 glasses. It’s made of ragi and soaked rice, which is very good during the summer season. But still, there’s very little business and we hardly make ends meet.

I have never been to school in my life. Neither is my husband, who works at a construction site as a daily wager. We don’t want our children to face the same fate as ours so we are working hard to ensure they get educated in good educational institutions. I just hope that they study well and get good jobs in the future so that they can lead a better life.”