The Tracking Indian Youth Workers Media Fellowship presents the next in a series of stories capturing the lives of young workers across India.
At just 18, Zubair has already experienced the weight of responsibility and the challenges of building a life away from home. Originally from Lucknow, he now works as a cook in Kochi alongside his brother. His story is one of resilience, family bonds, and determination to grow despite hardships.
“Sometimes life pushes you out of your comfort zone, but that’s how you learn to stand on your own.”
Read his full story below. Profile by Vaishnavi Bhat.
Vaishnavi: Hello Zubair. Can you tell us something about yourself?
Zubair: Hey, I’m Zubair. I’m originally from Lucknow and grew up there. In 2023, I moved to Kochi to work as a cook in this restaurant. My brother had already been here for a while, so I joined him once things were a bit settled.
Vaishnavi: How was life back in Lucknow?
Zubair: It was good, simple. My father runs a shoe shop near our local mosque, and my mother helps him out whenever she can. She also works as an agricultural labourer during harvest seasons. I went to school till around class 6 or 7, but had to stop when my father fell sick. I began helping him at the shop. Later, since my brother was already working in Kochi at a mechanic’s shop, my parents decided I should come here too and try for a better opportunity.
Vaishnavi: How was the transition to working in Kochi?
Zubair: It wasn’t too tough because my brother supported me a lot. He had already figured out where to work and stay. He found this area after talking to some people on the train when he first came. I got a job at this restaurant right outside his shop. We live in a room above the restaurant, so food and stay are covered by the hotel. There are many workers like us here, and people around are nice. We go to the mosque every Friday and have started knowing the neighbourhood well.
Vaishnavi: What does a typical day look like for you as a cook?
Zubair: I mainly help with making tea and dosas, which are the most ordered items. So mornings and evenings are always very busy. We open the restaurant at 7 AM and shut by 8 PM. The quiet time is between 2 to 3:30 PM. That's when we rest, taking turns. During the day, I also help with kitchen cleaning or arranging supplies.
Vaishnavi: What do you like to do in your free time?
Zubair: I play games on my phone when I get some time, mostly racing games. I also like riding my brother’s bike around nearby streets when we’re free, just to relax a bit. Sometimes we just sit and talk outside the shop in the evenings.
Vaishnavi: Has living in Kochi changed you in some ways?
Zubair: I think I’ve become more responsible since coming here. Back home, I always had someone to rely on. My brother usually took on most of the responsibilities. It was only after I started working here that I really understood how much effort my parents put in to support both of us. Honestly, I wasn’t too eager to move to Kochi—it was more my parents’ decision. But now I feel they did it for my own good, even if it must have been hard for them to send me away. Maybe they just wanted me to become stronger and more aware of the world.
Vaishnavi: What are some difficulties you face here?
Zubair: One thing I really miss is the feeling of home in Lucknow. I miss my friends from our neighbourhood. I grew up playing with them every day. Here my closest companion is my brother. I also don't get much time to interact with others because of work. Even though people are kind, the culture feels different—the language, the food, even how people celebrate festivals. It takes time to adjust, and there are days when it feels a bit lonely.
Vaishnavi: What are your long-term goals?
Zubair: Right now, the plan is to save money. My brother has started going to night college for a B.Com degree. I’m thinking of joining some course later too, but first I want to do a basic class to catch up on school stuff I missed. Eventually, we hope to get better jobs in big companies and improve our lives.
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.