I had a neglected childhood. My parents were divorced and my grandparents raised me.
My parents were busy with their own lives and I grew up virtually on my own, minus parental love, affection, and care.
It made me learn early that I would have to fend for myself. I precisely did that, though I remain eternally grateful to my grandparents for whatever they did for me.
I aimed high and completed my education at Jammu University in tourism. I then worked with an NGO for two years.
But I still found myself at the crossroads, not knowing what to do with my life. I lacked guidance.
Then I decided on my own to plunge into a field that was generally considered a male preserve.
I became a contractor in 2021.
It wasn’t easy. I got into the business with just three lakh rupees and had to struggle to make inroads.
But the bigger problem was my gender.
A contractor’s work involves interacting with labourers working on any given project, and most of them were not used to working with a lady.
On my first day at work, most labourers were disrespectful. They didn’t trust me and preferred to consult male contractors rather than me.
I chose to take the slights in silence since I wanted my work to do all the talking.
I had prepared myself well, studying building materials and construction before enrolling myself as a Cadre D – the lowest category – of contractors.
Things gradually changed. I found acceptance and the labourers whom I worked with turned respectful. They soon realised I meant business.
In the two years I have been a contractor – possibly Ladakh’s only woman contractor – I have completed 10 projects.
The projects I worked on were mostly in and around my village of Karu, some 34 km from Leh. I have built irrigation canals, reconstructed schools, and laid out roads.
Now, I plan to become one of Ladakh’s most successful contractors. I want to prove that gender should not be a roadblock. Finally what matters is one’s quality of work.
My journey has not been smooth. But it has been extremely satisfying. I have literally built my career, brick by brick. The foundation that I have laid is solid. It is a matter of pride for me.
Reporting and photographs by Dawa Dolma, a freelance journalist based in Leh. She writes about climate change, communities, and culture of the Himalayas. She is a Rural Media Fellow 2022 at Youth Hub, Village Square.