An Ice Cream Cart, a University Gate, and a Dream Beyond the Shore
Tracking Indian Youth Workers: Faizal Khan
The Tracking Indian Youth Workers Media Fellowship brings you the next in a series of stories that capture the lives of young workers across India.
Every day, Faizal Khan, 19 years old, sets up his ice cream cart in front of the famous Centenary Gate of Aligarh Muslim University. He watches students walk in and out—students who were almost his classmates. Despite clearing AMU’s entrance exam, he could not afford to enroll in the university. Instead, he now balances running his ice cream cart with studying for competitive exams, hoping to secure a future in the merchant navy.
“There isn’t much to enjoy about running an ice cream cart, but most of my customers are university students, and I like interacting with them—it keeps me motivated. My cart is set up right across from the university entrance, next to a sweet shop. Every day, as I glance at the university gate, I’m reminded of how much I wanted to be on the other side.”
Read his full story below. Profile by Mohammad Kaif Zaidi.
Kaif: Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Faizal: My family is originally from Teyori in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, but we moved to Aligarh some years ago since my grandfather had a small house here.
We are a family of six—my parents, three brothers, and a sister. I had another sister, but we lost her in a tragic accident in 2015. My father is a street hawker, and my mother is a homemaker.
My eldest sister is married now. My elder brother works as a driver, but he is currently unemployed. My youngest brother was in school, but due to our financial struggles, he had to drop out. I’ve tried to support him as much as I can.
Kaif: If you’re comfortable, could you share what happened to your sister?
Faizal: It happened on Alvida, the last Friday of Ramadan. With Eid approaching, preparations were in full swing at home. None of us realised there was a gas leak. When my sister lit the stove, the gas cylinder exploded. We lost her in the accident, and several family members were injured as well.
The loss shattered our family, especially my parents. Coping with her passing has been incredibly difficult, and even today, the pain lingers.
Kaif: What was your childhood like?
Faizal: My childhood was difficult. By the time I reached Class 5, my father could no longer afford my education. But I was determined to continue studying and found ways to fund my education. Initially, I worked part-time in the tile industry, but when I was in 9th grade, we moved to Aligarh and I started selling ice cream from this cart.
Since then, I have balanced my studies while contributing to my family’s livelihood. I have been selling ice cream for the past few years, right opposite the famous Centenary Gate of AMU (Aligarh Muslim University).
Faizal Khan, 19 years old.
Kaif: How far did you study?
Faizal: I completed my senior secondary education, studying physics, chemistry, math, and biology. I was selected for the 11th-grade entrance exam at AMU, one of the toughest university entrance exams. However, I was placed in the self-financed program, which required a fee of around ₹25,000—an amount I simply couldn’t afford. Because of this, I had to let go of the opportunity to study at such a prestigious institution.
Since completing my senior secondary education, I have been preparing for the merchant navy, focusing primarily on competitive exams for positions like Trainee Seaman or Ship Crew.
Kaif: Can you walk me through a typical day in your life?
Faizal: My day starts early—I wake up at 6 AM and head to Pushpa Defence Academy for running practice and basic physical training to prepare for defence job exams. After returning home around 10 AM, I take a short nap and have breakfast. By 3 PM, I set up my cart and head to my selling spot, where I work late into the night, usually until 3 AM, before finally heading back home.
Kaif: How do you manage to find time to study?
Faizal: I study while working at my cart since I can’t afford to set aside dedicated study hours. This is how I prepared for both my board exams and competitive exams—I balanced studying with work, making the most of every spare moment.
Kaif: What did you aspire to be when you were growing up?
Faizal: Initially, I wanted to join the defense forces, but over time, my focus shifted to the merchant navy because of the financial security it offers. I appeared for the entrance exam for a training academy that prepares candidates for merchant navy roles and was selected, receiving a call letter. However, the training fees runs into a couple of lakhs, which I simply cannot afford at the moment.
I want to save enough money to complete my basic pre-sea training at a training academy. Eventually, I want to become a merchant navy officer, which requires clearing additional exams.
Kaif: Do you think that working at this cart will help you acheive your goals? Do you enjoy it?
Faizal: I am only able to earn around ₹300-400 per day, which is barely enough for my daily expenses. However, I believe in myself.
There isn’t much to enjoy about running an ice cream cart, but most of my customers are university students, and I like interacting with them—it keeps me motivated. My cart is set up right across from the university entrance, next to a sweet shop. Every day, as I glance at the university gate, I’m reminded of how much I wanted to be on the other side.
Kaif: What do you like to do in your free time?
Faizal: Recently, I have been focusing on improving my English communication skills. I also like spending quality time with my friends.
Kaif: Who has been your biggest support, both personally and professionally?
Faizal: My friends—Saqib, Sonu, Altaf, and Rashid—have been a constant source of encouragement. University students have also helped me- providing study materials for competitive exams. In fact, when I applied for my 11th-grade entrance exam, it was a university student who covered the form fee.
Kaif: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Faizal: I envision myself as a navy officer, making my family, my long-gone sister, and the students of AMU proud.
This is an ongoing series of profiles documenting the experiences of young people across India. Stay tuned for more stories from young workers across India. Follow us on social media for more updates.