Kolkata man, 70, sells balloons daily to support family

A 70-year-old street vendor in Kolkata has garnered attention for his daily efforts to support his family by selling balloons, earning approximately 150 rupees per day. Operating despite physical limitations in his legs, the man undertakes an 8-kilometre journey on most days to pursue his livelihood.

The vendor's routine reflects the economic realities faced by many senior citizens in urban India who lack adequate social security. With limited employment opportunities and mounting family expenses, he has continued working into his seventies as a means of sustenance.

His story has circulated widely across social media platforms, drawing attention to the challenges faced by elderly workers in the informal economy. The narrative underscores broader questions about pension coverage, elder care, and economic support systems for vulnerable populations in Indian cities.

Though modest in earnings, the vendor's persistence demonstrates the work ethic common among India's informal sector labourers, many of whom continue employment well beyond conventional retirement ages due to financial necessity.