“Didi, actor banna hai… I want to be an actor.”

Other girls chuckled, but Didi told me, “It’s a beautiful dream. Let’s start by building your confidence.”

And then, there was no looking back for me.

I am Priya, and this is my story.

I belong to the Banjara community, a nomadic group constantly on the move. I lost my mother early in life, and during one of our travels, I got separated from my family. When the police found me, my family refused to take me back. My father and brother were struggling with drug addiction, and for my safety, the authorities placed me in institutional care in Aurangabad. For years, I felt lost.

The Turning Point

In 2024, I joined the Kshamata Transformation Program (KTP). I struggled in the beginning. Adjusting to a new environment, learning new skills, it all felt overwhelming. I struggled with low confidence and found it hard to keep up.

But everything changed when, during a session, I nervously shared my dream: “Didi, actor banna hai… I want to be an actor.” I was embarrassed, but Didi told me my dream was valid. She encouraged me to attend every session, ask questions, and focus on building my confidence.

Building Independence

I followed her guidance and began participating more, and slowly, I found my voice. But before chasing my dream, I needed financial stability, so the Kshamata team enrolled me in a Retail Management course through Tata Strive. Thanks to that, I secured a job at Home Centre as a sales assistant. Every day, interacting with customers, I grew stronger and more confident.

Giving Back and Looking Ahead

Now, I am not just learning; I am sharing. I share my challenges and how I overcame them, hoping to inspire other women like me. I have even started thinking about completing my graduation, something I never thought possible before.

Currently, I live in a co-living unit. But now, with a stable job, I plan to rent my own home and live independently.

None of this would have happened without the support of Kshamata. Their contribution helped me rebuild my life, and now, I believe my dreams are within reach.