In this episode of Active Srirampura, RJ Radha speaks with Olivu. She has been a resident of Ambedker Nagara for the past 35 years. She sells homemade idlis in front of her home. Earlier, she had made diyas and sold them, and with this money had supported her five children’s education. Today, all her daughters are married.

Initially, Olivu’s food business had featured a menu that included Chapatti, Poori, Idli, Dosa and Palav. As she got older, making Chapatti and Poori became difficult for her. So, she began selling only Idli, Dosa and Palav with chutney and sambar; her average daily net profit is Rs. 300. In one go, she prepares only one day’s worth of food; whatever is leftover is donated by her. Her husband helps her purchase provisions from the market while she purchases vegetables from near her house. She starts her cooking work every day by 3 am and closes her eatery by 2 pm.

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