“After
my father passed away, I came to Delhi with maa and my brothers. Bhaiya
used to work in a nearby factory and made enough to take care of us and
pay my school fees.
But before the lockdown, he went to Jaipur for some work and I noticed that Maa used to be tense all the time. She wouldn't tell me anything but I understood that we had a money problem. Ghar ka ration khatam ho raha tha; Maa would sometimes skip her dinner. My younger brother was also sick.
I wanted to do something to help and since my school was closed, I had plenty of time. One day when I saw a vegetable vendor in my area, I got the idea of selling vegetables in a pull cart! Maa was hesitant at first, but when I promised her I’d be safe, she helped me hire a cart!
Every morning, at 4am, I go to Khalsa mandi and fill my cart with fresh stock. The market is usually very crowded– so, social distancing becomes difficult. I somehow manage to juggle through the crowd and head to the nearby households. Sometimes people say, ‘Beta, itne chote ho– aap kaam kyu karte ho?’ But I’m always smiling because I’m helping Maa! My first day earning was Rs. 1000– I was very happy! I gave all the money to Maa and she used it to buy ration for us.
I remember, at first, I was very hesitant to talk to customers. Mujhe bahut darr lagta tha, but they were all so nice to me that I opened up to them. We ask each other about our family and a few of them even give me gifts!
So this is what I’m doing now, but someday, I’ll join the army, serve my country and make everybody proud of me! Especially my family– I want to be their hero!”
But before the lockdown, he went to Jaipur for some work and I noticed that Maa used to be tense all the time. She wouldn't tell me anything but I understood that we had a money problem. Ghar ka ration khatam ho raha tha; Maa would sometimes skip her dinner. My younger brother was also sick.
I wanted to do something to help and since my school was closed, I had plenty of time. One day when I saw a vegetable vendor in my area, I got the idea of selling vegetables in a pull cart! Maa was hesitant at first, but when I promised her I’d be safe, she helped me hire a cart!
Every morning, at 4am, I go to Khalsa mandi and fill my cart with fresh stock. The market is usually very crowded– so, social distancing becomes difficult. I somehow manage to juggle through the crowd and head to the nearby households. Sometimes people say, ‘Beta, itne chote ho– aap kaam kyu karte ho?’ But I’m always smiling because I’m helping Maa! My first day earning was Rs. 1000– I was very happy! I gave all the money to Maa and she used it to buy ration for us.
I remember, at first, I was very hesitant to talk to customers. Mujhe bahut darr lagta tha, but they were all so nice to me that I opened up to them. We ask each other about our family and a few of them even give me gifts!
So this is what I’m doing now, but someday, I’ll join the army, serve my country and make everybody proud of me! Especially my family– I want to be their hero!”
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