Rajesh was born in 1964 in Nashik, Maharashtra, into a family with limited income. In 1976, at the age of 12, he left school and started working in a textile factory, earning around ₹100 per day to support his family.
In 1985, Rajesh got married but continued working in the factory. With increasing family responsibilities, he used his earnings to manage household expenses and provide for his wife.
In 1993, he decided to start a small tea stall. His daily income ranged from ₹100 to ₹400, depending on the number of customers. Over the years, his business helped him support his children's education and meet family needs.
Between 2015 and 2023, competition from nearby tea stalls increased, and his earnings declined to around ₹100–₹300 per day. As he grew older, working long hours became physically demanding, and saving money became difficult.
Since 2023, Rajesh has continued running his tea stall for a few hours each day. He earns around ₹400 on a good day. Although he wants to retire, limited savings and the lack of a regular pension mean he continues working to cover his daily expenses.