Her's is a story spanning over 60 years of hard work and determination for the love of her children and grand children, providing them with a comfortable and secure life.
Ankuri Devi was born and brought up in Agra and also settled in the same place after marriage. When her husband passed away, she was left with two small children. She then pursued a course in tailoring and started earning some money by teaching others and also stitching clothes. There was a lot of restriction for her to step out of the house. She moved out independently and struggled to provide a livelihood for her family. She ensured her son completed his college education and then moved to Chennai in the year 1966 to settle down in an unknown city.
She explored various possibilities and decided to start selling beads. She cleaned them, strung them and slowly with the help of her son set up a beads manufacturing unit and continued in that business for about 15 years. Facing crisis in her factory in the year 1980, it had to be closed down. Her son started a plastic trading business and she learnt the trade from him and even today, she has prices of the materials at her finger tips. She dons comfortably both her personal and professional roles. At home she is the head of four generations of the family doting on her great grand children. With the same magnetism and charisma, she attracts customers to the shop and is a successful business woman. ‘Srinivasa Polymers’ is a well known name in the plastic industry and all the vendors come there drawn by ‘Grandma’, as she is referred to by all.
The business has grown and her entire family is into the business including the women, now having a branch in Bangalore also. One grandson is managing Chennai operations and the other Bangalore. Grandma travels comfortably alone to Bangalore and back and helps the business in both the cities.
Grandma is always spirited and loves to enjoy life. ‘We have never seen her depressed’, express her family members. Everyday she is up early in the morning and is active right through the day retiring to bed after the whole family goes to sleep. Her family adds that though she has been instrumental for the harmony in the family and has handled huge business responsibility, she has never claimed credit. She goes about her life happily, without any expectations of appreciation or encouragement. When I asked her how she was so enthusiastic and active at this age, she replied “I cannot take rest, I have so much to do and I love doing it”.
It was a very recharging and inspiring experience listening to grandma narrating her life to Chennai Chimes. Salutations to the woman who is ageing with wisdom but remains physically and mentally young and alert to live a complete life, spreading cheer and joy and showering strength to her family and friends.
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