“Five years ago, I came to Hyderabad from near Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh looking for work. I didn’t know the city, the language, or what exactly I would end up doing. I just knew I had responsibilities waiting back home.

Now every season decides my work. In summer, I sell jackfruit. Other times, I sell popcorn, fruits, snacks — whatever keeps the cart moving. Hyderabad taught me one thing very quickly: if you are willing to work, the city somehow makes space for you.

Earlier, I used to think people would judge roadside work. But standing here every day changed my thinking. So many people in this city are surviving through small businesses, carts, stalls, deliveries, driving — everyone is running for their family in their own way.

The difficult part is being away from my children. Sometimes in between customers, I video call home just to hear what happened at school or what they ate that day. Those small conversations give me energy again.

Whenever business goes well, I start planning in my head what I can take back for them. This time, I want to surprise my family with a really big gift when I visit the village.

People may only see a jackfruit cart on the roadside. For me, this cart is the reason my children can dream a little bigger than I did.”

— A.S. Avdhesh