Shramavahini’s journey began in 2019, when a few of us, survivors of bonded labour, met during an event. We found ourselves sharing stories of how deeply the problem affected our communities and how, despite being rescued, many were falling back into the same traps. The delays in receiving government entitlements—compensation, land, and other support—were leaving people vulnerable to exploitation all over again. It was heartbreaking, and we knew we had to do something about it.

Since some of us had the advantage of education, we decided to step in and help with the application processes for these entitlements. We started following up with government officials on behalf of others, making sure things didn’t fall through the cracks. The more we did, the more our confidence grew. Seeing how even a little effort from our side could make such a difference, it encouraged us to keep going.

Soon, some intellectuals and well-wishers we encountered along the way began urging us to think bigger. They believed in our work and suggested we formalize our efforts by registering as an organization, which would help us contribute to the cause on a larger scale. With the help of student volunteers and a few supporters, we managed to get Shramavahini officially registered in 2023.

Since then, we’ve been attending meetings with various NGOs and academic institutions to deepen our understanding of the problem and how best to fight it. Social media has also been a valuable tool for us, helping us stay informed and share information about the issue of bonded labour with a wider audience. We’ve come a long way, but our mission remains the same: to fight for the entitlements of rescued bonded labourers and, ultimately, to eradicate this crime from our communities.

Shramavahini is our collective voice, and together, we are determined to break the cycle of bondage for good.