“Growing up, I saw the worst of times, especially during the Telangana Peasants Armed Struggle. The private army of Nizams; the Razakars, plundered the villages of Telangana with vengeance against those fighting for independence. They would come on horses and warn everybody who was fighting for independence. During this struggle, I was kept in the Madikonda thana for five days. I still wasn’t deterred. When things like that didn’t demotivate me, do you think this pandemic will?

As a salesman, COVID-19 has definitely affected my business, but it’s not broken my hope. Initially, I was a weaver. But it didn’t fetch enough money. So I started selling clothes that I buy from Siricilla, 40 years ago.
I go from door to door in Warangal district, talking to people and convincing them to buy handwoven clothes. I set off on a cycle in the morning with a box full of rice and pickle. That’s enough to keep me going till sunset.

But the lockdown impacted my business. My earnings have come down by 50%. I’m 95 and I still cycle everyday for about 50km, to sell some clothes and make money.

I’ve seen so much in life that it’s almost like nothing affects my willpower and strength. My wife suffered from a brain stroke recently. We spent all our savings for her treatment. Now, I’m back to cycling and making up for the money spent. Life has taught me to never stop; Never look back. Keep going and live your life one day at a time. You’re alive today. Who knows what happens tomorrow? Don’t complain of what you don’t have. Look at what you have and embrace it!”

#Determination #Life #Survival #Hope #Family #Livelihood #Survival #Responsibility #Strength #Covid19 #Motivation #Inspire #WillPower #Cycling #Dedication #NeverStop #Telangana #Hyderabad #HumansofHyderabad