From Struggles to Stories: The Inspiring Journey of Dhanuja Kumari

Dhanuja Kumari, a resident of Ravi Nagar, spends her days collecting plastic waste and her nights recounting her struggles as a slum dweller. From early marriage and life in a slum to becoming a published author, Dhanuja’s experiences now enrich university curricula. Her story is an inspiring tale of resilience and advocacy against caste discrimination.

Dhanuja Kumari traverses the narrow streets of Ravi Nagar in Ambalamukku, calling out, "Chechi, we've come to collect plastic waste," as she dons her green overcoat and carries a plastic sack to each doorstep.

At 48, Dhanuja’s face shows the stress of her past, but her smile remains bright. She dropped out of school in 9th grade, married off to a 19-year-old 'Chenda' artist, and faced many struggles living in Chengalchoola, a slum in Thiruvananthapuram. These challenges later shaped her journey as an author.

Her book, recounting her life in Chengalchoola, is now part of university curricula. Dhanuja heads a women's collective called 'Wings of Women' and remains committed to her profession as a 'Haritha Karma Sena' worker, even as she continues to fight for the upliftment of her community.