Lights. Camera. RCNM.

Passage 10 : Strive against addiction. "I originally belong to the interiors of Bihar. In my early twenties , I started smoking. The causal puffs became a routine and even before I realize it, I was already caught up in the habit of smoking. I started  having fights with my family almost everyday and then one day , I ran away from my family and came to Mumbai. I was still an addict and could think of no way to quit it. After few months of just wandering the city ,I found a job as a construction site worker. The wages that I earned, were completely spent on cigarettes. One day, I heard my co-workers taking about some rehabilitation center that can help me quit my addiction. I attended the center for 3 months and it did work. I felt as if I got a rebirth and this time I wouldn't waste it. It has been almost 10 years since I came to Mumbai and now as a part-time security guard and as a worker at a jewellery shop , I earn enough to send some money back to my family a...

Passage 9:Struggle to Survive "I was married off when I was 19 years old and shifted to the village. Soon I  realized  that my husband was an alcoholic and behaved atrociously with me . I had three children in the next few years. Not one moment did he allow us to live peacefully. He came home drunk, hit me, starved me and mistreated me. I cannot forget that one night when he threw the children and me out of the house. It was then that I decided not to tolerate his torture anymore and stand on my own feet for the sake of my children. I moved to Mumbai and worked as a domestic helper in 6 houses. My husband found us in Mumbai too and troubled us with his demands for money but I managed to turn him away. I struggled a lot but did not give up on my duties. I looked after the well being of my in laws and sent them money whenever they required. I have struggled so hard only to make my children successful in life. Now my son is a lab technician and my daughter a...

Passage 8 : Earning a Future. "It has been 15 years since I have started working in this profession. It is strenuous task to wake up at 5 in the morning and prepare the entire day's meal for my children. I also somehow manage to complete my household chores before leaving for work. I try reaching at my workplace on time. But more often than not, I end up being late for the job and receive a pretty good firing from my boss. I try to explain the importance of the food that I prepare for my children to him but he never understands and threatens to fire me. I don't like this at times but I have to endure the wrath in order to fulfill the hunger pangs of my family. After collecting waste from the allotted apartments I have to segregate it with my own hands. Sometimes we are not given proper gloves to work with as well. I know it is hazardous to work in such conditions but it is my destiny-- I suppose. At the end of the day my employers still try to cut down my wages. B...

Passage 7 : An outsider's view  I hail from a very small town in Gujarat. One of my initial experiences in Mumbai involved a local train ride from Borivali to Churchgate station. I had never seen such a huge crowd before and was actually scared that I might die either of claustrophobia or a stampede on the station. I was alone, and definitely scared of being in such a place. I had also heard many instances of bag snatchers and women harassment, which added further to my fear. But surprisingly, when I interacted with people to ask them for help regarding the platform number, the correct train, etc. I was actually met by very polite and helpful strangers, who were even more civil in their manners than the people in my hometown. It was peak rush hour when I boarded the train, and women all around me pushed and pulled from all sides to get inside the compartment. Although I retained my initial fear of death by suffocation, I was pretty amazed to see how all these people stuffe...

Passage 6 : Little things that matter much "So I'm a part of NSS in my college and this was my first attempt at some sort of community service. Just last week we sold Rakhis made by specially abled children. Initially I considered it as fun way to get attendance for lectures. But trust me, it was a lot more than that. Even though the event was a success, there were many people who just swept pass us or curtly told us that they are not interested. Many of the buyers that we attracted had their own apprehensions regarding the quality of products like chocolates. It obviously took a lot more effort than I thought to sell these beautifully handcrafted items. But the mere reminder that this was to provide for all those who are not as privileged as we are, cannot afford to go to good schools, have access to better healthcare and living conditions, was enough to make us buckle up and try harder and harder with each passing minute so that our little effort could make them have a...

Passage 5: Basuri Wala. "Shortly after I got married,I met with  an accident and lost my eyesight and so, I lost my job.I had no family support, hence leaving the responsibility of my wife and my little daughter completely on me. I loved playing Flute since my childhood.  So, by playing Flute across the roads, I started earning money. Initially I got only Rs. 75 to 100 per day but now, I earn Rs. 500 or even more in a day's span. My wife was my strength during those days and she still is."

Passage 4 : Situational Remould  "I left home when I was 14. I am a hijra (eunuch) and my family disowned me. I left my village and came to Mumbai, having heard about the various hijra communities. Today, I am a part of one, they feed me, send me to school and even let me live at their place provided I do their household chores. Sometimes I want to go back to my mother, I miss her, but I know she will not accept me the way I am. I am happy but, I still haven't adapted to this change in lifestyle, but there's no alternative. In my spare time, I play with street kids. I like to see them happy."

Passage 3: Redirected Destiny. "I came to this city when I was 20. I wanted to be an actor,  just like Amitabh ji. I blew all my savings on sunglasses and flashy clothes. All the studios rejected me, saying I didn't have 'the actor material'.I was broke. Poverty stricken , I lived under the bridges. I didn't even have the money to book a ticket back home. Then one day a man came and offered me labour work. I reluctantly accepted it, but gradually my skills developed and I started to enjoy my work. Now ,these are the happiest days of my life. When I look back, I realize I had been so stupid. Today, I have a wife, and a small daughter, who wishes to be a teacher."

Passage 2 : Chocolate Chacha  "I have been selling chocolates outside this college for the last 40 years. At first, it was a necessity, but now it's the source of my happiness. I don't need to work anymore, I can sit back and enjoy my retirement, but selling chocolates to these lovely children gives me a reason to live. They laugh with me, they share jokes, they fondly call me 'Chocolate Chacha'. Each day, I try to get the best and rare chocolates for them, just to see that smile on their face, just to hear them say "Thank you, Chocolate Chacha!"

Passage 1: Chana Chor Uncle. 👳🏾 "For the last 42 years, everyday I wake up at six, and prepare the chana chips which takes upto four hours. I prepare the spices as well . And then, I set off. At times I earn upto Rs. 400 per day. Those are good days. At times, there is not even a single customer. Bad days. But now, the times have changed ; students prefer sandwiches and frankies. They ignore me, push me aside . My body cannot bear the daylong stress of roaming around. I want to retire, sit peacefully in my village. But, I have a family to feed. A wife and three children. For their sake, I must go on.It hurts, but it's okay, I'm used to it. Everyday I come with a renewed hope; maybe today will be a good day. "