Years of sacrifice by a Jalandhar street vendor culminated in a major milestone after his son, Arjun Rajput, was selected for India's Under-19 squad for the upcoming one-day tour of Sri Lanka.Arjun's father, Hoti Ram, spent years selling chhole-kulche from a roadside cart, which serJalandhar chole-kulche seller’s son selected by one of the world’s richest sports bodies for India U-19 tour of Sri Lankaved as the family's sole source of income. About a year ago, he closed the cart and started a small bakery, from where he now prepares and delivers kulchas.Family endured years of financial hardshipThe family's journey was marked by financial struggles as Hoti Ram worked to support his household while funding his children's education. He often relied on loans to cover school fees and other expenses, facing periods when earnings from the cart were insufficient.Despite the challenges, he remained committed to ensuring his children continued their studies. He sought financial assistance from relatives, neighbours and others whenever necessary. Reflecting on those years, Hoti Ram said life was filled with difficulties.Cricket dream survives academy closureArjun began playing cricket at the age of seven and joined the Harbhajan Singh Institute of Cricket in Jalandhar, where he trained regularly and developed his game.His progress faced uncertainty when the academy shut down. However, individuals involved in his training continued to support his development and ensured his talent did not go unnoticed.Coach and school step in to helpAmong those who backed Arjun was Vikram Sidhu, who had trained him personally at the institute. Following the academy's closure, Sidhu helped secure Arjun's admission to a prominent school and requested the management to waive his fees.The school agreed, allowing Arjun to continue his education and cricket training without adding to his family's financial burden.Family support remained constantArjun credited his family for standing by him throughout his journey. He said he witnessed his father's daily struggles and his mother's efforts to manage the household with limited resources.Although he was aware of the sacrifices being made, his family never asked him to abandon cricket. According to Arjun, their only expectation was that he remain focused on the sport and give his best.Selection eases burden of years of struggleWhile Hoti Ram continues to make kulcha deliveries and some financial challenges remain, his son's selection for the India U-19 team has brought a sense of achievement to the family.Arjun's rise from a young cricketer facing the closure of his academy to a member of the national Under-19 squad reflects the support he received from his family, coach and school. For Hoti Ram, the journey from operating a roadside cart to seeing his son's name in the India squad marks a significant moment in years of perseverance.