Female Porters At Ludhiana Railway Station Who Refuse To Give Up

Nisha, who had studied till the ninth standard, has chosen to lighten the burden of both her family and the travellers at the station.

Laja Verma (47) has been a porter for 11 years and supports her three children through this work. “I work under compulsion, staying at the station from 5 a.m. to 5 pm,” she said.

About International Women’s Day, Laja says that this day comes every year, but no one really notices it. “We work with full dedication. There isn’t even a proper place for us to sit at the station. During reconstruction, we carry luggage on the bridge, and when there is a lot, we use a cart,” she said.

The 44-year-old Sushma, whose husband was also a porter, talks about the strength women possess, even as some people in society think otherwise. “People sometimes see us as weak, but a woman who can give birth understands true strength. This work and life make us even stronger,” she said.

Praising the spirit of these women, Naresh Kumar, a porter who has worked with them for several years, said that these women should never be underestimated.

“We try to give them priority in work, and sometimes they even carry more weight than we do. They carry not just luggage but the weight of their families,” he said.

Even as Maya, Sushma, Nisha and Laja have unfortunate reasons to work as coolies, they inspire others into facing the difficult times with courage and dedication, embodying the true spirit of International Women’s Day.