Who goes to Bihar for work? Is Bihar even safe for women?
- Aparna Agrawal
- May 15
- 3 min read
I have visited more than 20 states in India. But I never had a chance to explore Bihar. I had heard a lot about migration from this state. So, I felt it was the right time to visit. I wanted to connect with a remote community to understand life here firsthand.
I landed at Darbhanga airport from Delhi. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Soon, I was on my way to Triveniganj (ZealGrit Foundation’s base location). The moment I arrived, Saroj greeted me with a warm hug. It felt like meeting an old friend. I felt at home instantly. As I settled in, a breeze drifted through the office window. It carried the scent of earth and possibility. Outside, an annual fair was being set up. The streets were buzzing with life and colour. It was the perfect welcome—unexpected, alive, and full of experience.
As I was still settling in and soaking in my new surroundings, the field champions returned to the office. They came in with energy and laughter. They carried a sense of purpose that was hard to miss. Their eyes sparkled with stories from the day. Each one was eager to share what they had seen, done, and felt. It was impossible not to be swept up in their passion. I didn’t just feel welcome, but felt part of something bigger. Their calm energy and deep connection with the organisation gently pulled me in. I was beginning to understand ZealGrit and its work.
The next morning, I joined Kiran on her field visit. Every home we entered had its own quiet strength. These families had limited means but limitless warmth. They welcomed us like old friends. They offered tea and listened to Kiran with trust. They shared their stories openly and without hesitation. Watching Kiran move through these spaces with ease and compassion was inspiring. She wasn’t just visiting the community, she was part of it. And through her, I was embraced too. Their openness wasn’t really about me. It was about the deep faith they had in the ZealGrit Foundation.
I felt a bit nostalgic. The visit reminded me of my visit to Jalgaon Jamod in Maharashtra. The passion and the warmth of the people all felt familiar. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices of people here instantly reminded me of the Delhi suburbs. Wondering if some of those folks back in Delhi were actually migrants from Bihar!
With every conversation and visit, I saw a different Bihar. Not the one often portrayed, but the one that truly exists; resilient, hopeful, and full of hope, where people fight every day to make things better. I began to see the state through a new lens. A lens shaped by courage, community, and change.
The ZealGrit team’s confidence and solidarity silenced every doubt my family had about “safety.” What I found here is not any risk but a deep, living sense of community and care. This is, however, not to deny safety concerns women have, but to emphasise that Bihar is no different from most other states I visited.
Back at the office, my work focused on strategy, ideation, and coordination with the CEO. But it was the tea breaks and small conversations that truly brought us together. I got to know the team more closely. They weren’t just doing their jobs; they believed in the work. They were driven by a deep desire to create change through grounded efforts.
Yes, it’s a small team with limited resources. But the zeal and grit they show are truly commendable. Their hunger to learn, grow, and serve is inspiring. It fills me with hope. It also strengthens my personal commitment to support Triveniganj and the mission of the ZealGrit Foundation. As they say, “being hopeful is a matter of including possibility in our world and worldview.”
