The Tracking Indian Youth Workers Media Fellowship presents the next in a series of stories capturing the lives of young workers across India.
Dolly Kumari is a 16-year old from Lakhisarai, Bihar. Forced to leave school after Class 4, she started working at a young age. After spending three years working in Dhanbad, her aunt arranged a job for her in Kolkata. Now, she works as a caretaker for a special needs child, finding small moments of fulfillment while grappling with the weight of responsibility and missed opportunities.
“Sometimes, I feel like it’s too late for me. I don’t know if I can pursue my dreams now. I have shouldered too many responsibilities from a young age—I started working when I was eleven. Things could have been much worse—I could have been married off as a child in my village. My aunt sending me here for work turned out to be a blessing.”
Read her full story below. Profile by Vansika Jain.
Vansika: Can you tell me a little about yourself and your background?
Dolly: My name is Dolly Kumari, and I am 16-years old. I am from a small town called Lakhisarai in Bihar. After my parents passed away, I went to live with my maternal aunt in Dhanbad. I had studied only until Class 4, but soon after, my aunt decided that I needed to start working. I worked in Dhanbad for about 3 years before she arranged a job for me in Kolkata.
Now, I work in Kolkata as a caretaker for Rajshree. She is a special needs child and I feel good looking after her. It gives me a sense of fulfillment—I feel like I am caring for my own younger brother, who is still back in my village.
I have two elder brothers and an elder sister, but they work and live on their own in Lakhisarai. My younger brother is still studying there. I visit my village two to three times a year.
Vansika: What do you do in your free time?
Dolly: In my free time, I mostly talk to my friends on the phone. My friends- Deepak , Pari and Amrita- are still in the village and working as well. But unlike me, they don’t have to work in households—they have a father figure to look after them. They work with their families, either in the fields or in welding shops.
Vansika: What was your childhood dream?
Dolly: As a child, I always dreamed of becoming a teacher. I loved going to school when I was young and I would often staying back to play with my friends in the school garden. At home, my siblings used to teach me, and I wanted to grow up to be like them. If things had turned out differently, I would still be studying today and doing something I truly love.
But here, when I am looking after Rajshree, I feel connected to myself and my dream. I sometimes help her with her homework. I even sit with her during tuition classes since she needs special attention. Because of that, I feel that I am still in touch with learning. It makes me feel better about where I am today, and I don’t regret how things are today.
Vansika: How do you feel about your life now? Are there things you wish were different?
Dolly: I am grateful for what I have today. This may not be the life my younger self had imagined, but I am thankful to be earning. Things could have been much worse—I could have been married off as a child in my village. My aunt sending me here for work turned out to be a blessing. Eventhough I am not educated, I am independent and have savings of my own. While working here, I also spend time with Rajshree’s cousins and siblings. They talk to me like a friend, and we often play together.
However, there are moments when I make mistakes and get scolded, and that hurts. In those moments I wish my mother were still here with me. If she had been able to teach me these things, I wouldn’t have to face these challenges all alone today.
I often feel that if I were more educated, people would take me more seriously, and I could stand up for myself. When I see the children in this house—how they go to school and college, and how focused they are on their careers—I feel motivated and inspired. But in those moments, I also realise that I have lost something important.
Vansika: Do you still want to study? What stops you from doing so?
Dolly: Sometimes, I feel like it’s too late for me. Even though didi and bhaiyas in this house have offered to sponsor my education, I don’t know if I can pursue my dreams now. I have shouldered too many responsibilities from a young age—I started working when I was eleven, and now I have savings of my own.
Studying would require a lot of expenses and looking at how uncertain getting a job today is, I am not sure if continuing my education would improve my situation. I would regret being unemployed after completing my studies. For now, the way things are, I can at least live in some comfort before I make a riskier decision for myself.
Vansika: Do you have any plans for your future?
Dolly: I still want to teach someday—maybe at an NGO, where I can be around children and help those like me. Talking to kids makes me feel better, like I’m doing something meaningful. But for now, I don’t think I’m ready. I like being taken care of here.
Rajshree’s parents and grandmother look after me, and I even receive new clothes on Diwali or when they return from vacations. Sometimes, I feel like I’m part of their family. Even though life turned out differently than I had imagined, I am grateful for the kindness and support I have found here.
This is an ongoing series of profiles documenting the experiences of young people across India. Stay tuned for more stories from young workers across India. Follow us on social media for more updates.
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