“As we got off from Darbanga Express train in Hyderabad, the city seemed full of possibilities. My friend Amit, a fellow construction worker from Bihar, was right there with me, looking determined. We had left our homes to find a better life and to support our families at the young age of 20.

We landed jobs at a construction site in Madhapur, the heart of Hyderabad’s booming tech scene. The city was a marvel, a symbol of progress and dreams, evident in the towering skyscrapers all around us. The work was tough, but we were taken care of with proper safety gear.

During our lunch breaks, Amit and I would sit under a makeshift shelter and talk about our lives back in Bihar. We missed our families dearly, and we knew they depended on the money we sent home.

One evening, as we rested after a long day, Amit said, “You know, our dreams may seem far away, but they’re getting closer each day.” I smiled, understanding the depth of his words, imagining the day our loved ones would arrive in Hyderabad, eyes filled with hope.

Our shared hardships have strengthened our friendship, and our determination to provide for our families drives us every day. We are determined to create a better life for those we cared about. Hyderabad had become our city of dreams, and we are eager to make it a reality.”

• A Yadav, Worker.