She was married off at 10, education discontinued. Today, she’s a national level powerlifter

Durga Kumawat’s life began under immense constraints, marked by poverty and responsibility far beyond her years. As she recounted in her story shared with Humans of Bombay on Instagram, she grew up in a household with six daughters, where financial struggles were constant. Her father worked as a security guard while her mother took on small, irregular jobs to keep the family afloat. Basic amenities were scarce; even electricity was absent in their home. Determined to study despite these limitations, Durga and her sister would sit beneath streetlights at night, using whatever little light they could find to continue their education. Even in those early years, perseverance became a defining trait in her life.

A Tradition That Changed Everything

Durga explained that her life took a drastic turn due to a local custom in Rajasthan known as “Aata-Saata,” where families exchange daughters during marriage arrangements. At just ten years old, she was married off under societal pressure placed on her father by relatives. This decision uprooted her childhood overnight. Her education was abruptly halted, and she was sent to live with her in-laws. There, she was expected to conform to rigid roles—covering her face with a veil, cooking, and working in the fields. Instead of being treated as a young girl, she was burdened with responsibilities that felt more like servitude than family life.

Struggles, Loss, and Responsibility

Durga shared that whenever she briefly returned to her parental home, her in-laws would call her back for labor-intensive tasks. Life took another difficult turn when her father was diagnosed with cancer. She moved back home to care for him and became the primary support for her family. To sustain them, she took up multiple jobs over time—working as a construction laborer, then in a factory, and eventually securing a position as a peon in an automobile company. These physically demanding roles began to take a toll on her health, pushing her to look for a way to regain strength.

Discovering Strength Through Powerlifting

In an effort to improve her health, Durga joined a gym. What began as a necessity soon turned into a passion. She immersed herself in strength training exercises like squats, bench presses, and deadlifts. Recognizing her natural ability, her gym coach encouraged her to compete in powerlifting. As Durga revealed in her account to Humans of Bombay, this encouragement marked a turning point in her life.Her progress was extraordinary—she won a gold medal in her very first competition. Within just fifteen days, she cleared the district level, followed by a gold at the state level within three months. She later secured a silver medal at the national level and set an impressive 300 kg record.

Choosing Self-Respect and Independence

As her achievements gained attention, her in-laws attempted to bring her back. However, Durga set clear conditions: she would not wear a veil, she would continue working, and she would pursue her sport. When these terms were rejected, she chose to walk away permanently.

Today, Durga Kumawat is building a self-reliant and focused path for her future. She continues to grow in the sport of powerlifting, while also preparing to secure a government job and support her family financially. Reflecting on her journey in her story with Humans of Bombay, she expressed that all her efforts are dedicated to the ten-year-old version of herself who once believed everything was over. Instead, life took an unexpected turn, proving that what felt like an ending was actually the start of something far greater.