Jyoti Kumari holds a photograph of her father, Mohan Paswan, in their home in the village of Sirhulli, Bihar. The image captures a moment of quiet reflection for the 22-year-old, whose life became a global symbol of resilience during the height of the pandemic. In 2020, she cycled more than 700 miles from Gurugram to Bihar, carrying her injured father on the back of a hot pink bicycle purchased for just 20 dollars.
Unfulfilled Promises in Bihar
The journey began in January 2020 when Paswan, an autorickshaw driver, suffered a severe accident in Gurugram, a city near Delhi. He had worked there for two decades, sending remittances to his wife and five children in their rural home. When he failed to recover fully after five months, the family decided to return to Bihar. With public transportation shut down due to lockdowns, Kumari insisted on bringing him home herself.
She pedaled for seven consecutive days, often on an empty stomach, to transport her father to safety. The feat garnered international headlines and sparked a wave of goodwill. Promises poured in from politicians and well-wishers, including cash rewards, training for competitive cycling, and even a movie deal. However, these commitments did not materialize into long-term support.
“The politicians who made promises, saying they would give money for my sports or education, nobody actually gave anything,” Kumari told NPR in a recent phone interview. The family relied on the small amount of cash they had collected from individual donors and a government award to rebuild their home. They transformed a structure with bare walls into a livable brick house complete with a toilet and running water.
Financial Hardship and Daily Struggles
The stability provided by the new home offered little protection against the economic realities of rural India. Mohan Paswan died of a heart attack in May 2021. Since then, the family has struggled to make ends meet. Kumari’s mother works as a cook, earning a meager income that supports Jyoti and her three siblings. An older sister has married and moved out, and a brother-in-law who previously helped now has his own family to support.
“There are days when we go to sleep hungry,” Kumari said. Her daily routine begins at 7 a.m. with cooking and caring for her younger siblings before her mother leaves for work. She spends her day cleaning, washing clothes by hand, and preparing meals. By the time she can study, she is often exhausted.
Education remains a priority but is difficult to pursue. Kumari has not yet passed her Class 12 final exams, a credential necessary for university admission or many jobs. She plans to stay in her native village rather than seek work in a city, citing her father’s precarious experience as a day laborer. She believes education is the only way out of poverty.
Looking Toward the Future
While Kumari’s own progress is delayed by household responsibilities, the family has placed its hopes on her younger sister, who is scheduled to take her 12th-grade exams in mid-2027. If she succeeds, the family anticipates improved prospects upon her graduation and entry into the workforce.
Kumari still loves cycling, describing the feeling of freedom it brings. However, she no longer has time for recreational riding or competitive training. She uses her bicycle only for errands. Her story highlights the gap between viral fame and sustained support for families in poverty. As she stated, “When you’re poor, fame doesn’t help. Only education can help you out of your difficulties.”
Source: NPR
