After completing my studies in my village in Bihar, I moved to Mumbai in 1993 in search of work and better opportunities. Starting life in a new city was not easy, but I knew I had to work hard to establish myself and earn a living. Eventually, I found an opportunity in sand supply, where I worked from around 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. My responsibilities included loading sand into containers, ensuring that materials were handled and transported properly, and making sure construction projects received the supplies they needed. It was physically demanding work, and I had to put in long hours and considerable effort to earn my income.
During those years, my family remained in Bihar, and I regularly sent money home to support them. I tried to save whatever I could, but when it came time for my marriage, I realised that I did not have enough money to cover all the expenses. I wanted to arrange the necessary materials and have a proper wedding in my village, so I started working overtime to earn extra money. The additional hours were tiring, but I wanted to fulfil my responsibilities and make the necessary arrangements for my marriage.
After getting married, I stayed in Bihar with my family for a few months. However, our financial situation remained difficult, and there were challenges in adjusting to married life. Financial pressures and difficulties within family relationships made things more complicated. Eventually, I decided to return to Mumbai alone so that I could continue working and improve my financial circumstances. Although it was difficult to live away from my wife, I felt that earning an income was necessary to build a more secure future.
After returning to Mumbai, I rejoined the sand supply work and continued in the same line of work until 2014. Over these years, I gained considerable practical experience in the construction industry. I became familiar with how construction projects operated, how materials were supplied, and how important it was to coordinate deliveries according to the requirements of different sites. This experience helped me understand the practical side of construction and gave me knowledge that I could use to pursue other opportunities.
In 2014, I decided to start working independently by taking on small residential construction projects. Rather than continuing only with sand supply, I began organising workers and managing the different requirements involved in building houses. My responsibilities included arranging construction materials, coordinating workers, managing expenses, and ensuring that the work progressed according to the project's requirements. I took on smaller projects, including house construction in local residential areas, where managing resources carefully was important.
Moving into this work meant taking on greater responsibility. I had to manage not only the construction activities but also the money involved, the availability of materials, and the workers' requirements. My earnings depended on the projects I received, so my income was not always consistent. Some months brought more work and better earnings, while others were financially more difficult.
Looking back, my journey has involved many years of hard work, personal sacrifices, and learning through experience. From moving to Mumbai in search of employment to working long hours in sand supply and eventually managing construction projects independently, I have tried to make the most of the opportunities available to me. My experience taught me the importance of persistence, practical skills, and managing money carefully while working towards a more stable livelihood for myself and my family.