“I got married when I was 15. That’s how things were in our village. I studied only till 2nd class. After marriage, I moved to my husband’s home and started working on their land. I used to remove weeds in the cotton fields, carry fodder for the cattle, and milk the buffaloes before sunrise. That was our life. No questions, no complaints.

We shifted to Hyderabad 38 years ago with very little. I joined GHMC as a daily wage worker, sweeping roads and clearing garbage. Some days there was work, some days there wasn’t, but I still went. I’ve always believed showing up matters.

Even now, I wake up at 4 a.m., wrap my saree, and catch the bus to my duty point. Our work begins before most of the city is awake. During the monsoon, it gets tougher. Flooded streets, clogged drains, garbage piling up — but we have to manage.

I’ve been doing this job for 25 years now. The roads are slippery, and sometimes the waste smells so bad it’s hard to breathe. But I never backed away. This job gave me a steady income. I raised my children with it. I never had to take loans or ask anyone for help. I learnt how to manage with what I had.

During the COVID lockdown, people finally saw us. They appreciated our efforts from their balconies, offered us water, and thanked us. It felt new being noticed like that. However, some people look down on us even today. But it doesn’t affect me. I know my worth. I’ve never skipped work unless I was really unwell. I didn’t wait for praise. I just did my duty.

This uniform may be simple, but it gave me dignity. My children grew up watching me leave before sunrise and return only after I finished my work. I couldn’t give them luxuries, but I gave them something better — education and values.

I didn’t study much, but I learnt a lot from life. From the fields, from the streets, from every struggle. I learnt how to keep going without giving up. How to hold your head high, even when no one notices you.

And honestly, that’s enough for me.”