“My name is Bharathamma and I have been selling seasonal fruits for more than 10 years now. Getting married at the age of 15 has taught me to be independent and responsible at a young age. I was not inclined towards studying, therefore I discontinued school at a young age.

The 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’s professionally a farrier (smith who shoes horses) and also goes for 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 cooking, from doing the household chores to managing the monthly expenses — we divide everything equally.

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