About the Worker
“Every brick I lift here brings me one step closer to home”
Construction Worker | Working in Bengaluru Since 2018
Journey of Hard Work
My name is Somnath Chowdhury, and I work in construction in Bengaluru. My duty starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break in between. The work is tiring, but I continue every day because my family depends on me.
After work, life becomes quiet. I don’t have many sources of entertainment, so my mobile phone becomes my only companion. I spend time watching videos, listening to songs, and sometimes video calling my family. Those small moments help me feel closer to home, even when I am far away.
I was born and raised in West Bengal. When I was studying in the 8th grade, my father passed away. After that, my family faced serious difficulties, and I had to start working while continuing my studies. In my village itself, I learned labor and construction work and slowly understood what it means to carry responsibility at a young age.
Over time, I realized that working in Bengaluru could help me earn more and support my family better. So in 2018, I came to Bengaluru and joined a construction team. Since then, I have been working here continuously, and I have become a strong support system for my family back home.
Adjusting to Bengaluru was not easy. The language was different, the people were new, and the city felt too big. In the beginning, I was scared because I couldn’t speak Kannada and didn’t understand the busy crowd and fast life. But slowly, I started adapting, learning, and managing everything step by step.
I wait eagerly for festival holidays because those are the only times I can travel back to my village in West Bengal. Whenever I meet my family, it gives relief to my heart—and the strength to return again and continue working.
Watch the Story
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