“I still get emotional thinking about the day I landed in Hyderabad city with nothing but a small bag and a big dream from my village in Maharashtra. This place embraced me like a long-lost friend, and its people became my family.

Growing up, life was a struggle. I lost my dad when I was a kid, and I had to grow up too fast, sharing the family responsibilities of three sisters and my mom. But this city showed me that there’s beauty in the brokenness. I sell soan papdi, the kids’ favorite sweet treat. It’s amazing how something so small can bring so much joy to their faces every day. Now, I get to be a small part of the kids’ lives, and they remind me that life is worth living.

We share laughs, tears, and stories. We connect over street food and memories. And in those moments, I realize that family is not just about DNA; it’s about the people who make you feel seen and heard.”