“My name is Lakshmi and I stay in Tupran- Medak district. Although I am 60 years old, I have to strive hard for my survival. Due to a major operation in the stomach, my husband cannot get up on his legs and walk. I have two daughters and a son who is handicapped. My daughter-in-law works in a company and earns a little bit in our family.

For the past 30 years, I have been earning by selling seasonal fruits and vegetables.
I come all the way from Tupran. That’s 43 kms away from here. I sell corn in weekly markets of Suchitra, Lothukunta – Alwal. I get the corn from the farm which I collect with a group of ladies eho accompanies me. After all the effort and my travel expenses, I barely earn Rs. 500 and somedays I don’t even that. During the lockdown period I strived hard to make our ends meet.

The least government could do for us is to provide pension for my son and husband. There is nothing I didn’t try to take this matter to the concerned officials, but none seems to be working. It is getting extremely difficult for me to work in these days as I am ageing, considering that I am diagnosed with diabetes.
Earlier they used to provide Rs. 500 pension but now they struck it off. I cannot do anything about it but to keep going in life by doing this small business. It would be helpful for me if we could be provided with some assistance from the government too.”