“I am large, I contain multitudes.” – Walt Whitman
Depending on our birth lottery, we each grow up with dreams, hopes, and expectations about our future. For many of us, our upbringing shapes the path we follow. Therefore, we continue to pursue what was expected of us, both professionally and economically. However, there are a rare few whose thoughts, choices, and relentless hard work change not just their own lives, but the future of their communities. Here are four outliers whose life journeys have the potential to drive generational change.
Bishnu Charan Nayak
The story of Bishnu Charan Nayak, a boy from Ganjam, mirrors the inspiring story shown in the movie 12th Fail. In 2001, he appeared for his class 12 exams in his native district, but due to inadequate preparation and his family’s financial stress, he failed. Nayak moved to Surat and laboured in the precarious conditions of the power loom industry for three years before returning to his village in 2004.
In 2009, Nayak married, which brought new financial responsibilities. Seeking economic opportunities, he returned to Surat, drawn by the scope of quick earnings in the textile industry, where formal education wasn’t a requirement. From 2010 to 2014, he worked in the embroidery sector while also tutoring school children. This reignited his zeal for learning, and in 2015, Nayak took a second chance at academics, clearing his class 12 exams through open schooling. His thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there. He earned his undergraduate degree from IGNOU in 2018 and completed his MA in Political Science in 2021—an extraordinary achievement for a migrant laborer. But the best was yet to come. He cleared the UGC NET exam and was appointed as an Assistant Professor in Surat.
In 2022, Nayak decided to pursue the Odisha Public Service Commission exams. Against all odds, he cleared them in his first attempt, securing an impressive rank of 426. From earning just 90 rupees a day exerting himself in loom units to ascending the corridors of power, Nayak’s journey is nothing short of miraculous.
Maheswar Gouda
Like many migrant labourers from Odisha, Maheswar moved to Surat in his teenage years, shortly after failing his matriculation exams. For over two decades, he worked in various roles within Surat’s power loom industry, later running a tea stall for two years. For two years, he sold goods on the streets. He also ran a mess for 3 years. Maheswar also worked as a delivery partner for a leading food delivery company. During this time, he became an active member of the Pravasi Shramik Suraksha Manch (PSSM), through which he got to see the larger canvas of the suppression of labourers. In PSSM, he acquired outreach and mobilisation skills.
Since October 2023, Maheswar has been involved in the daily operations at ShelterSquare Foundation’s Republic Hostel and Mess, where he handles rent management, grievance redressal, and conflict resolution. Additionally, he supports the hostel’s outreach program, which aims to bring more people to the hostel where they can live with dignity.
Sushant Pradhan
Sushant passed his class 9th examinations in 2005 and came to Surat from his native district, Ganjam which is the biggest supplier of manpower to the power loom sector. He started by filling bobbins and earning 2000 rupees a month. Simultaneously, he continued to study for his matriculation exam, and passed them in 2006. He then moved to Andhra Pradesh where he worked in the metal cutting and welding for a year.
Sushant moved back to Surat in 2009 and worked in embroidery and power looms. During this time, he started learning dance after his working hours were over. Once he was confident about his moves, he quit the textile sector and opened his own dance academy in 2015, investing all that he had saved. As of now, his academy has 40 students. Sushant also teaches dance in a school and conducts some freelance training as well. His academy is now among the best known in the Ved Road area.
Siba Malik
Another story that took the train from Berhampur to Surat is that of Siba Malik who set foot in Surat in 2003 at the young age of 16. He took shelter in a mess room with three others sharing the same room. Siba Bhai started his laborious travail learning embroidery and then power loom machine work. In his late teens, he started mobilising the Odia community to celebrate the state specific cultural festivals in Surat as well. This was the time when Siba Bhai started getting exposed to some of the problems migrant labourers face, most importantly wage theft.
Back then, accidents and deaths in power looms were not very prevalent. In 2006, he took a contract to provide operators to embroidery units and also worked as an engineer of embroidery machines, services and installation. At this time, he was making good money. However, the embroidery sector ran into recession. Therefore, he opened a mess in Anjani (industrial area in Surat) in 2014 which ran for two years. He also bought 3 auto rickshaws and gave them on rent.
By the time he wound up the auto rickshaw business, he found himself volunteering and doing part time work for Aajeevika Bureau’s newly opened centre in Surat. During this time, his wife started a small textile retail business from home. Siba Bhai sold all the auto rickshaws as he found the business unsustainable and since 2021, he is a full time staff now at Aajeevika Bureau. His primary work involves mobilising the loom workers and the union through outreach, awareness and support. Siba Bhai played a crucial role in setting up the Republic Hostel and Mess in Sayan, India’s first labor hostel.
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