The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Soldiering on for the family

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Others

Soldiering on for the family

B.V.S. Bhaskar

From plucking coconuts to flowers, 15-year-old Varalakshmi of Atreyapuram in East Godavari slogs it out from dawn to dusk.

UPHILL TASK: Vara Varalakshi climbing up a coconut tree.

ATREYAPURAM (EAST GODAVARI): While children of her age in urban areas are lucky enough to go to school, Varalakshmi (15) sweats it out to feed herself and her family members. From dawn to dusk, whether it is blowing hot or cold, she plucks coconuts on daily wage basis.

All was well until her father, Veeranna, a sweeper in the Gram Panchayat office, died in 1997. Suddenly, the entire family, comprising five girls, a boy and their mother, Savithri, were on the road. Not to be cowed down by the cruel twist of fate, Ganga Bhavani, third in the family, decided to take on the challenge. She pulled the rickshaw to feed the family.

The first three girls then attained marriageable age. And the family had to borrow heavily to perform the marriages.

Though Savithri got a sweeper's post in the Gram Panchayat on compassionate grounds, the earnings were not enough to clear the debts.

This set Varalakshmi thinking who decided to drop out of her 9th class to support the family. Drawing inspiration from her sister, she thought it fit to pluck coconuts. After doing the tough job for two years, she changed her routine. She now plucks flowers in the nearby Vadapally village. "I know how hard it is to climb coconut trees. But, the family burdens drove me to it up. My only aim is to support my family," says Varalakshmi.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. How true!

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section

Novel protest by Telugu Yuvatha

Physical fitness training raises spirits of tribal, rural youths

Congress flayed for confusing stand on unity of State

Shaky start to scanning drive

DRC seeks steps to stop Babli works

Soldiering on for the family

Plea to solve civic problems

Villagers protest in front of Collectorate

Enquiry ordered into alleged NFFW irregularities

Behind exchange of fire in naxal dalam